Last updated: May 20, 2026
Bottom line
If you are behind on heat, electric, gas, water, or phone service in New Hampshire, start with three places: your utility company, your local Community Action Agency, and 211. Most help is paid to the utility or fuel vendor, not to you as cash. Approval depends on income, household size, the bill, the fuel type, funding, and the local office.
New Hampshire’s main energy programs are handled through Community Action Agencies. Use the state CAA directory to find the right office before you apply. The state also has a Consumer Services office that can help when a regulated utility will not answer, will not explain a bill, or may be disconnecting service wrongly.
If you have a shutoff notice, no heat, or no fuel
Do not wait for the bill to get worse. Call the utility or fuel dealer the same day. Say that you are asking for a hardship review, payment plan, shutoff hold, or emergency fuel help. New Hampshire utility shutoff rules are handled through the Public Utilities Commission, and the PUC rules page is the official place to check current rules. Then call your local Community Action Agency and say clearly if you have a disconnect notice, no heat, very low fuel, a child in the home, a disability, a medical need, or unsafe housing.
- For energy help, use New Hampshire’s energy help page to reach the main state program list.
- For urgent local referrals, dial 211 or search 211 NH and ask for utility, fuel, shelter, food, and town welfare referrals.
- If a regulated utility will not work with you, call the New Hampshire Department of Energy Consumer Services Division at 1-800-852-3793. It is open Monday through Friday during business hours.
- If a utility shutoff is tied to an eviction, unsafe housing, or a legal dispute, ask 603 Legal Aid whether you can get free legal help.
Where to start
Utility help works best when you use more than one door at the same time. A Community Action Agency may screen you for fuel help, electric discounts, weatherization, and local funds. Your utility may offer a payment plan, shutoff hold, or arrearage program. Your town welfare office may help when a bill is an emergency and other aid is not enough.
Start with Community Action
Ask for Fuel Assistance, Electric Assistance, Weatherization, and any local crisis funds. Community Action is the main intake point for several New Hampshire energy programs.
Call the utility
Ask for a payment plan, hardship note, medical protection steps, budget billing, or arrearage help. Write down the date, time, name, and promise made.
Use 211 and town welfare
211 can point you to local charities and emergency help. Town or city welfare may help with basic needs when you cannot safely wait.
Quick help table
| Need | Best first step | What to ask for | Reality check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heating bill or low fuel | Call Community Action | Fuel Assistance and emergency fuel review | Funds are limited and usually go to the vendor. |
| Electric bill | Apply through Community Action | Electric Assistance discount and payment plan | You must have a bill from a participating regulated electric utility. |
| Natural gas heat | Call utility or Community Action | Gas Assistance winter discount | It is for eligible Liberty and Unitil gas heating customers. |
| Drafty or unsafe home | Ask Community Action | Weatherization or energy upgrades | There can be waitlists and landlord permission may be needed. |
| Water or sewer bill | Call water provider and town welfare | Payment plan, hardship review, or local welfare help | The federal water program was temporary; local options vary. |
Main utility programs in New Hampshire
Fuel Assistance Program for heat
The Fuel Assistance Program is New Hampshire’s LIHEAP program. It may help with winter heating costs for renters and homeowners. Heating can include oil, propane, wood, natural gas, electric heat, kerosene, or heat that is included in rent. The state says the program can also help in a heating emergency by helping with an emergency delivery, delaying a shutoff, or making another referral.
Eligibility is based on gross household income, household size, New Hampshire residence, and other factors. The state income guidelines page says the threshold for Fuel Assistance, Electric Assistance, and Weatherization is currently tied to 60% of New Hampshire State Median Income. Do not guess based only on last year’s chart. Income limits can change.
Reality check: Fuel Assistance is not a promise to cover the full winter bill. Apply early, keep delivery tickets and shutoff notices, and ask about emergency review if the tank is low or the heat is off.
Electric Assistance Program
The Electric Assistance Program gives eligible customers a monthly electric bill discount for 12 months. It is for customers of participating regulated electric utilities, including Eversource, Unitil, Liberty, and New Hampshire Electric Co-op. Apply through your local Community Action Agency.
Reality check: A discount lowers future bills, but it may not erase an old balance. If you owe money already, ask the utility for a payment plan and ask the Community Action Agency about extra funds.
Gas Assistance Program
The Gas Assistance Program can help eligible residential natural gas heating customers of Liberty and Unitil. The state describes it as a winter discount for income-eligible customers. Liberty also explains its Liberty gas discount, and Unitil lists its Unitil discount rules for New Hampshire gas customers.
Reality check: This is not for every gas or propane customer. It is for certain natural gas heating customers. If you heat with propane, oil, wood, pellets, or electric heat, ask about Fuel Assistance instead.
Weatherization and energy upgrades
Weatherization can reduce future bills by making the home use less energy. Work may include air sealing, insulation, heating system checks, and health or safety measures when allowed. The state works with Community Action Agencies to deliver services. Some households may also use NHSaves assistance for income-eligible energy upgrades.
Reality check: Weatherization is not same-day bill help. It can be very useful, but it may require an audit, scheduling, landlord permission for renters, and time on a list.
Water and sewer bills
Water help is more local than electric or heat help. New Hampshire still has a state Water Assistance page about the temporary federal water program, but federal LIHWAP funds were a short-term program. For current help, call the water or sewer billing office, ask about payment plans or hardship rules, and then call your town or city welfare office.
Reality check: Some towns and utilities have help. Others only offer a payment plan. Ask for the answer in writing if shutoff is close.
Phone and internet savings
Lifeline is still the main federal phone or internet discount. USAC says Lifeline can provide up to $9.25 per month for eligible service, or more on qualifying Tribal lands. The Affordable Connectivity Program is different. The FCC says the ACP page stopped taking new applications in 2024.
Reality check: Lifeline is one discount per household. It will not cover a full internet bill in most cases, but it can free up a small amount of money for heat, electric, or food.
Arrearage and charity funds
Some utility customers may have extra options. Eversource has New Start, an arrearage forgiveness program for eligible customers who make their agreed monthly payments. Neighbor Helping Neighbor is a private fund that may help people who do not qualify for federal fuel help; ask your Community Action Agency about the Neighbor Fund. New Hampshire Electric Co-op members can ask about Project Care if they are in a crisis.
Reality check: Charity funds are limited. They may run out, may have waiting periods, and may require proof that you tried other programs first.
Local and town help
New Hampshire has five Community Action Agencies. The statewide CAP lookup can help you find the right agency by town. Your town or city welfare office is another important door when you have an emergency bill. New Hampshire law, often called RSA 165, requires local welfare programs, but each town has its own process and guidelines.
603 Legal Aid explains town welfare in plain language. This can matter if you are denied, cannot get an application, or do not understand what the town is asking for.
| Local door | Use it for | What to say |
|---|---|---|
| Community Action Agency | Fuel, electric, weatherization, local funds | “I need an energy appointment and I have a shutoff or fuel emergency.” |
| Utility company | Payment plan, discount, shutoff hold, billing dispute | “I am applying for assistance and need a hardship plan today.” |
| Town or city welfare | Emergency basic needs, including heat or utilities | “I need to apply for local welfare because my utilities are at risk.” |
| 211 NH | Referrals when you do not know where else to call | “Please search utility, fuel, water, food, and shelter help in my town.” |
| Legal aid | Wrongful shutoff, denial, eviction, unsafe housing | “I need advice about a utility or welfare problem.” |
Documents to gather before you apply
Do not skip an application because you are missing one paper. Call first and ask what to bring. Still, most offices will ask for basic proof of identity, household, income, and bills.
| Document | Why it helps | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Photo ID | Shows who is applying | Ask what else works if your ID is expired or lost. |
| Social Security numbers | Often used to verify household members | Bring cards or official papers if available. |
| Proof of income | Shows wages, benefits, child support, or no income | Bring recent pay stubs or benefit letters. |
| Utility or fuel bill | Shows account number and amount due | Bring the shutoff notice or delivery ticket too. |
| Lease or rent proof | Shows where you live and if heat is included | Ask your landlord for a heat-in-rent letter if needed. |
| Medical note | May support medical shutoff protection | Ask the utility for its exact certification form. |
Common mistakes to avoid
- Waiting until the shutoff day. A same-day call can help, but earlier calls give you more options.
- Only calling one place. Call the utility, Community Action, 211, and town welfare when the bill is urgent.
- Ignoring mail from the utility. Notices may include appeal rights, shutoff dates, or required steps.
- Assuming a discount clears debt. EAP and GAP lower bills, but old balances may need a separate plan.
- Missing recertification. Many discounts and benefits must be renewed.
- Using an energy supplier without checking the price. Ask the Consumer Advocate how to review supply charges if your bill jumps.
What to do if you are denied, delayed, or ignored
Ask for the reason in writing. A denial may be fixable if a document is missing, income was counted wrong, the wrong fuel type was listed, or the office did not know about a shutoff notice. If the problem is with a regulated utility, call Consumer Services and ask for help with the dispute.
If the issue involves town welfare, housing, benefits, or a possible wrongful shutoff, apply for legal help. New Hampshire Legal Assistance handles public benefits, housing, and other civil legal problems for people who qualify. Start with NH Legal Assistance or 603 Legal Aid.
Also make a backup plan. Ask 211 for food help while you put money toward utilities. Ask your child’s school about McKinney-Vento help if housing is unstable. Ask your health provider about medical certification if shutoff would put someone’s health at risk.
Phone scripts you can use
Calling Community Action
“Hi, my name is ____. I live in ____ County. I am a single mother and I need help with a utility or heating bill. I have a shutoff notice / no heat / low fuel. Can I apply for Fuel Assistance, Electric Assistance, Weatherization, and any emergency funds at the same appointment?”
Calling the utility
“Hi, I am calling about account number ____. I cannot pay the full balance today. I am applying for assistance. Can you place a hold on disconnection, set up a hardship payment plan, and tell me if I qualify for any discount or arrearage program?”
Calling town welfare
“Hi, I need to apply for local welfare help. My utility or fuel bill is an emergency. What documents do I need, when can I apply, and can you give me a written decision if I am denied?”
Calling Consumer Services
“Hi, I have tried to work with my utility and still need help. My service may be disconnected or my bill may be wrong. Can Consumer Services help me review the account and contact the utility?”
Resumen en español
Si tiene una factura de luz, gas, calefacción, agua o teléfono que no puede pagar en New Hampshire, llame primero a su compañía de servicios, a su agencia local de Community Action y al 211. Diga si tiene aviso de corte, no tiene calefacción, tiene poco combustible, hay niños en casa o existe una necesidad médica.
La ayuda no siempre es dinero en efectivo. Muchas veces se paga directamente a la compañía o al proveedor de combustible. Guarde copias de sus facturas, avisos, ingresos, identificación y notas de cada llamada.
FAQ
Can single mothers get utility assistance in New Hampshire?
Yes. Single mothers may qualify for Fuel Assistance, Electric Assistance, Weatherization, Gas Assistance, town welfare, utility payment plans, or local funds. Eligibility depends on income, household size, utility type, location, and funding.
Where do I apply for LIHEAP in New Hampshire?
Apply through your local Community Action Agency. In New Hampshire, LIHEAP is called the Fuel Assistance Program. If you have no heat or a shutoff notice, say that when you call.
Does Electric Assistance pay my old electric bill?
Electric Assistance mainly gives a monthly discount. It may not clear an old balance. Ask your utility about payment plans or arrearage help, and ask Community Action about extra funds.
Can my utility shut me off in winter?
New Hampshire has special winter disconnection rules and medical emergency protections, but they do not erase the bill. Call the utility, apply for assistance, and contact Consumer Services if the utility will not explain your options.
Is there water bill help in New Hampshire?
Water and sewer help is mostly local now. Call your water provider for a payment plan, then contact town or city welfare. You can also ask 211 for local referrals.
What should I do if I am denied?
Ask for the denial reason in writing. Find out if a missing document can fix the problem. If you think the denial is wrong or a shutoff is unsafe, contact Consumer Services, 603 Legal Aid, or New Hampshire Legal Assistance.
About this guide
This guide uses official federal, state, local, and other high-trust nonprofit and community sources mentioned in the article.
A Single Mother is independent and is not a government agency, benefits office, lender, law firm, medical provider, or tax advisor.
Program rules, funding, local availability, and eligibility can change. Always confirm details with the official program before you apply or make decisions.
Verification: Last verified May 20, 2026, next review August 20, 2026.
Corrections: If you see something wrong or outdated, email suggestions@asinglemother.org.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. It is not legal, financial, medical, tax, immigration, disability, safety, or government-agency advice.