Last updated: May 20, 2026
Bottom line
If you are behind on a light, gas, or cooling bill in Louisiana, start with LIHEAP through your parish agency, then call your utility company the same day to ask for a payment plan or hold. If you have a shutoff notice, say that clearly when you call. Louisiana LIHEAP can help with heating, cooling, crisis bill payment, and some equipment repair or replacement, but help depends on income, documents, season dates, and available funds.
The main state starting point is the Louisiana LIHEAP page, run by the Louisiana Housing Corporation. For local referrals, Louisiana 211 can help you find nearby churches, Community Action agencies, food help, shelter help, and other emergency support.
If your power, gas, or water may be shut off
Do not wait for a final date if you already have a disconnect notice. Call your utility company first and ask whether a payment arrangement, agency pledge, medical hold, or pending LIHEAP application can pause the shutoff. Then contact your parish LIHEAP office and ask for crisis assistance.
Call 211
Dial 211 or text your ZIP code to 898-211. The Louisiana 211 help line is open 24 hours a day and can search local utility funds near you.
Call your utility
Ask for a payment plan, extension, or hardship department. Get the name of the person you spoke with and write down the date and time.
Ask for crisis LIHEAP
Tell the parish agency that you have a disconnect notice, service is already off, or there is a medical risk in the home.
Where to start in Louisiana
Start with the bill that is closest to shutoff. If the electric bill is the emergency, focus on electricity first. If water is the problem, call the water provider and 211 because regular LIHEAP is for home energy, not most water bills.
- Find your parish LIHEAP agency. Use the state LIHEAP page and choose your parish. Local agencies may use appointments, online forms, document drop boxes, or phone intake.
- Call your utility company. Ask for a payment arrangement while your LIHEAP application is pending. Ask if the company will accept a pledge from an agency.
- Call 211. Ask for utility crisis funds, churches that help with shutoff notices, and any Community Action office serving your parish.
- Get documents ready. Most delays happen because the office needs a current bill, proof of income, ID, Social Security cards, or a shutoff notice.
- Ask about long-term help. Weatherization, energy-efficiency programs, budget billing, and leak adjustments can reduce the next crisis.
Quick help table
| Need | Best first step | What to ask | Reality check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electric or gas bill | Parish LIHEAP office | Ask for heating, cooling, or crisis help. | Funds can run out. Apply early and keep calling. |
| Disconnect notice | Utility company and LIHEAP | Ask if a payment plan or pledge can stop shutoff. | A pending application may not stop shutoff unless the utility agrees. |
| Medical equipment at home | Utility medical program | Ask what form your doctor must send. | Medical programs usually do not erase the bill. |
| Water bill | Water provider and 211 | Ask about payment plans, local funds, and leak review. | Water help is local and often more limited than LIHEAP. |
| High bills every month | Weatherization or efficiency program | Ask for an energy assessment or income-qualified help. | Repairs and weatherization can have waiting lists. |
Louisiana LIHEAP
LIHEAP is the main utility bill assistance program in Louisiana. It helps eligible households with home energy costs, including heating and cooling bills. It can also help in a crisis, such as a shutoff notice or service that has already been disconnected.
As of May 20, 2026, the Louisiana Housing Corporation says cooling-season online applications are closed, but local agencies continue normal intake for the cooling season through September 30, 2026, or until funds are gone. Crisis assistance runs October 1 through September 30. Always check the state page before applying because dates and intake rules can change.
To qualify, you generally must be responsible for the home energy bill, have an active heating or cooling utility account, meet income rules, and provide the documents the local agency asks for. Louisiana says LIHEAP is not guaranteed, even if your income is low enough.
2026 LIHEAP income limits
The state lists these 2026 estimated 60% State Median Income limits for LIHEAP. These are annual household income limits. Confirm with your parish agency before you rely on them.
| Household members | Annual income limit |
|---|---|
| 1 | $30,618 |
| 2 | $40,039 |
| 3 | $49,460 |
| 4 | $58,882 |
| 5 | $68,303 |
| 6 | $77,724 |
| 7 | $79,490 |
| 8 | $81,257 |
| 9 | $83,023 |
| 10 | $84,790 |
How to apply
Apply through the local agency that serves your parish. Large parishes often have their own intake pages. For example, East Baton Rouge residents can check the city-parish Baton Rouge LIHEAP page, Jefferson Parish residents can check Jefferson Parish LIHEAP, and Calcasieu Parish residents can check the Calcasieu utility page. If you live somewhere else, use the state parish directory.
Ask whether the office is taking crisis cases, non-crisis cases, cooling applications, or heating applications. Ask how to send documents. If your phone is not reliable, ask if you can get notices by email, text, or a second contact person.
Louisiana shutoff rules and weather protections
Louisiana has state utility rules that can limit residential disconnections during certain extreme weather. The Louisiana Public Service Commission order says covered electric and natural gas utilities cannot disconnect residential service in a parish on certain winter days when the prior day did not go above 32 degrees and the temperature is expected to stay at or below that level for the next 24 hours. The order also protects against certain electric shutoffs when the nearest National Weather Service office issues a heat advisory. Natural gas summer protection is limited if the customer does not use gas to cool the home.
Read the LPSC weather order if you need the exact wording. These rules are important, but they do not forgive the balance. You still need a payment plan, LIHEAP pledge, or other help.
If you think a regulated utility is billing you wrong, refusing to follow a rule, or disconnecting service improperly, contact the utility first. If that does not fix it, the LPSC complaints page explains what information to provide, including your name, address, parish, phone number, utility company, and a short statement of facts.
The LPSC also posts consumer information about delinquent payment penalties. Its consumer news page says covered utilities must limit delinquent penalties to no more than 5% of the actual billing and must not apply that penalty less than 20 days from the billing date.
Utility company help in Louisiana
Your utility company may offer payment arrangements, budget billing, medical holds, hardship funds, or energy-saving programs. These do not replace LIHEAP. They work best when you use them together.
| Company or program | What to ask about | Where to start |
|---|---|---|
| Entergy Louisiana | Payment arrangements, The Power to Care, LIHEAP referrals, and a certified medical emergency hold. | Use the Entergy bill toolkit and ask for help paying. |
| Entergy medical needs | Ask whether your household qualifies for medical documentation support if disconnection would create a medical emergency. | Review Entergy medical needs and call the company. |
| Cleco | Payment plans, Budget Billing, CARE, Critical Care Alert, and energy-efficiency help. | Check Cleco customer help before calling. |
| SWEPCO | Payment arrangements, LIHEAP, Neighbor to Neighbor, and flexible payment options. | Start with SWEPCO payment help. |
| SWEPCO Neighbor to Neighbor | Last-resort electric bill grants when the fund is open and you meet program rules. | Check Neighbor to Neighbor. |
| Atmos Energy | Sharing the Warmth, payment options, and referrals to local energy agencies. | Use the Atmos bill help page. |
Water bill help
Water help in Louisiana is different from electric and gas help. LIHEAP is mainly for home energy. The temporary federal LIHWAP water program is no longer a dependable statewide path for new help, so water assistance usually comes from your city, water provider, 211, or local charities.
New Orleans customers should check the Sewerage and Water Board payment assistance page. SWBNO describes a Water Help Program for elderly, disabled, and economically disadvantaged customers, with funds administered by Total Community Action.
In Baton Rouge and other parishes, ask the water company for a payment plan, leak review, or hardship referral. If you received a very high bill after a leak, ask what proof is needed for a leak adjustment. Then call 211 and ask for local water-bill assistance or general emergency funds.
If you are in New Orleans and need help sorting utility or water bill options, Southeast Louisiana Legal Services has a short utility bill guide with local starting points. Legal aid may not pay the bill, but it may help if a dispute, unsafe housing issue, or improper shutoff is involved.
Lower future bills with weatherization
If your bills are high every summer or winter, ask about weatherization. The Louisiana Weatherization Assistance Program can make eligible homes more energy efficient through services such as insulation, air sealing, weather-stripping, and duct sealing. LHC says the program gives extra waiting-list points to older adults, families with children, disabled household members, high residential energy users, and households with a high energy burden.
Start with the LHC weatherization page. If you rent, ask the weatherization provider what landlord permission is needed. If your home has safety repairs that must be fixed first, ask whether any local repair program, church, or Community Action agency can help.
Documents to gather before you apply
Gather documents before the appointment if you can. If you are missing something, still call. Ask whether the agency can start a file while you get the missing proof.
| Document | Why it matters | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Current utility bill | Shows account number, name, address, and amount due. | Use a bill no older than 30 days if possible. |
| Disconnect notice | Needed for crisis help. | Take a clear photo if you must apply by phone or email. |
| Photo ID | Confirms the applicant. | Ask about options if your ID is expired or lost. |
| Social Security cards | Often needed for household members. | Ask about exceptions if a child’s card is missing. |
| Proof of income | Shows household income for the past 30 days. | Bring pay stubs and proof of benefits or child support. |
| Proof of address | Shows where you live. | A lease, rent receipt, or deed may work. |
| Medical form | Needed for some medical hold requests. | Ask the utility exactly what the doctor must send. |
Common mistakes to avoid
- Waiting for the shutoff day. Call as soon as you get a notice. Some agencies cannot make same-day pledges.
- Applying only online. If online intake is closed, call your parish agency and ask about local intake.
- Assuming LIHEAP covers water. Regular LIHEAP is for home energy. Water help is usually local.
- Missing a utility call. A LIHEAP agency may need to verify your account before it can pledge funds.
- Paying application fees. Louisiana says LIHEAP has no fees or charges to apply. Be careful with anyone asking for logins, bank routing, or credit card details.
If you are denied, delayed, or ignored
If your LIHEAP application is denied, ask for the reason in writing. The issue may be missing proof, income, a name mismatch on the bill, or the wrong season. Ask whether you can correct the file or appeal.
If the agency says funds are gone, ask when funding may reopen and whether another program can help. Then call 211, your utility company, and local charities. If the utility account is in a former partner’s name or a landlord’s name, explain the situation and ask what proof they need to help your household.
If you think a shutoff is improper, save the bill, notice, payment receipts, screenshots, and names of people you spoke with. You may need those records for an LPSC complaint, a local utility regulator, or legal aid.
Phone scripts you can use
Call the LIHEAP office
“Hi, my name is ____. I live in ____ Parish. I have a utility bill and I need help applying for LIHEAP. I also have a disconnect notice dated ____. Are you taking crisis applications today, and how do I send my documents?”
Call your utility company
“Hi, I am calling before my service is disconnected. I am applying for LIHEAP and need to know what payment arrangement or agency pledge you can accept. Can you note my account and tell me the minimum payment needed to keep service on?”
Call 211
“Hi, I am a single parent in ____ Parish. I need help with a utility shutoff notice. Can you check for LIHEAP, churches, Community Action, and any emergency funds that can pledge to my utility company?”
Call about medical needs
“Hi, someone in my home uses medically necessary equipment or has a medical condition affected by loss of electricity. What medical form do you need from the doctor, where should it be sent, and how long can it protect the account?”
Resumen en espanol
Si necesita ayuda con la luz, gas o aire acondicionado en Louisiana, empiece con LIHEAP en la agencia de su parroquia. Si tiene aviso de corte, diga que necesita ayuda de crisis. Tambien llame a su compania de servicios y pida un plan de pago o una extension.
Llame al 211 o mande un texto con su codigo postal al 898-211 para buscar ayuda local. Tenga lista su factura, aviso de corte, identificacion, prueba de ingresos, prueba de direccion y tarjetas de Seguro Social si las tiene. La ayuda no esta garantizada y puede depender de fondos disponibles.
FAQ
Can LIHEAP stop a shutoff in Louisiana?
It may help, especially if the local agency can issue a pledge that your utility accepts. A pending application alone may not stop a shutoff, so call the utility and ask what it needs.
Does Louisiana LIHEAP help with water bills?
Regular LIHEAP is mainly for home energy bills, such as heating and cooling. For water bills, call your water provider, 211, and local charities or city programs.
Who qualifies for Louisiana LIHEAP?
You generally must meet income rules, be responsible for the energy bill, have an active heating or cooling account, and provide required documents. Local agencies may have more requirements.
What if my LIHEAP office is out of funds?
Ask when funding may reopen, whether crisis cases are still being accepted, and whether another agency can help. Then call 211 and your utility company for backup options.
Can my utility disconnect me during extreme weather?
Louisiana has weather-related limits for certain residential disconnections. The rules depend on the utility, the weather condition, and the parish. These rules do not erase the bill.
What should I do if the bill is not in my name?
Call the LIHEAP agency before applying. Ask what proof is needed if the bill is in a landlord, relative, or former partner’s name. Do not guess; a name mismatch can delay help.
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.
Last updated: 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.