American homeowners and renters are getting help with utility bills as they crank up their heaters to combat freezing-cold temperatures.
$2,400 will be Sent to Residents in Texas from Texas Utility Help (PHOTO: Wikipedia)
Texas Utility Help Program
The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) is offering homeowners and renters assistance to pay their energy bills. The Texas Utility Help (TUH) is a program that provides financial aid to qualified low-income Texas households who need help to pay their utility bills. Eligible expenses for electricity, natural gas, propane, water, and wastewater.
Moreover, according to a press release the program will allow participants to get up to $2,400 in prospective payments as well. The TDHCA directed an additional $ 48 million to this program to boost its efforts.
Previously, Texas Utility Help only helped with past-due bills, but it will now offer help for future payments for water and wastewater assistance at $85 per month, through September 30, 2023. The program will send payment to the approved applicant’s water and wastewater provider as one lump sum equal to:
- The applicant’s past-due balance (if any) plus
- $85 monthly for future water and wastewater bills, through September 30, 2023
However, the TDHCA is recommending people who qualify for this assistance to apply as soon as possible so they acquire the maximum amount. The total amount of assistance for future payments will depend on the application being approved. Those applications that were approved in January will earn $765 for future bills, while those approved in March will have $595.
Here’s How To Claim The Cash Assistance
There is an application process for the program and a few procedures that must meet to qualify.
- Texas households can be eligible for assistance from Texas Utility Help if their household income is at or below 150 percent of Federal Poverty Income Guidelines (“FPIG”).
- At least one resident in a household must be a U.S. citizen or a qualified alien.
- Energy vendors are instructed to sign vendor participation agreements to obtain payments.
- Homeowners and renters are both eligible to join the program. Eligible property types include:
- Single-family homes
- Multi-family buildings
- Mobile homes
The TUH program has distributed more than $ 28 million to more than 13,350 households assisted. For more information, the call center is available Monday – Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., or reached at toll-free 855-566-2057. Help is available even in multiple languages.
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