Last updated: July 16, 2026
Bottom line
If you are behind on electricity, natural gas, propane, or another home energy bill in Louisiana, start with the Louisiana LIHEAP page. The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program may help an eligible household with heating, cooling, an energy crisis, or some heating and cooling equipment work.
Louisiana’s statewide online cooling application is closed, but the cooling season is still open. Local agencies continue their normal intake through September 30, 2026, or until funds run out. Contact the agency serving your parish instead of waiting for the online portal to reopen.
Call your utility company the same day. Ask about a payment arrangement, extension, agency pledge, budget billing, or medical-needs process. A pending LIHEAP application does not automatically stop a disconnection.
ASMOM’s national utility guide explains common energy-help terms. The Louisiana help page covers other state programs.
This article gives general information. It does not promise LIHEAP approval, a utility hold, payment, restored service, a repair, or an appeal result.
If service may be shut off
Call the utility first. Give the disconnect date and ask what minimum payment, arrangement, or agency pledge could keep service connected. Write down the representative’s name, date, time, and confirmation number.
Call your parish LIHEAP agency. Say whether service is already off, a disconnect notice is active, the home has no safe heating or cooling source, or the situation could become life-threatening. Ask whether the office is accepting crisis applications and how to submit documents.
Call Louisiana 211. Dial 211 or text your ZIP code to 898-211 through Louisiana 211. It operates 24 hours a day and can search for Community Action agencies, churches, local emergency funds, food, shelter, and other nearby help.
Use ASMOM’s Louisiana emergency guide when the utility crisis is connected to food, rent, shelter, transportation, or another urgent need.
Where to start
Work on the bill with the closest shutoff date first. Electricity and gas use LIHEAP and utility-company paths. Water help is usually local and uses a different process.
Find your parish agency
Use the provider map on the state LIHEAP page. Call the listed office because appointments, online forms, drop boxes, and intake hours differ.
Protect the account
Ask the utility what must happen before the disconnect date. Do not assume an appointment or application creates a hold.
Gather current proof
Have a recent bill, income records, identification, address proof, household information, and the disconnect notice when one exists.
Plan beyond one bill
Ask about weatherization, budget billing, energy-efficiency work, leak adjustments, and other benefits that may lower the next crisis.
Louisiana utility help quick reference
| Need | First contact | What to ask | Reality check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electric or gas bill | Parish LIHEAP agency | Cooling, heating, or crisis benefit | Eligibility and funding apply. |
| Active shutoff notice | Utility and LIHEAP | Arrangement, agency pledge, crisis intake | The utility must agree to any hold. |
| Medical equipment or condition | Utility company | Medical form or special arrangement | It does not guarantee uninterrupted power or erase debt. |
| Water or sewer bill | Water provider and 211 | Payment plan, hardship fund, leak review | Regular LIHEAP mainly covers home energy. |
| High bills every season | Weatherization provider | Energy assessment and approved home work | Inspections, landlord consent, and waiting time may apply. |
Louisiana LIHEAP
Louisiana LIHEAP helps qualifying households with home heating and cooling costs. The program may provide a regular seasonal benefit, crisis bill help, and some heating or cooling equipment repair or replacement. Payments are normally made to the energy supplier for the household.
The current seasons are December 15 through March 31 for heating, April 13 through September 30 for cooling, and October 1 through September 30 for crisis assistance. A household may receive one regular LIHEAP benefit in each season when eligible and when money is available.
The statewide online cooling portal is closed as of July 16, 2026. Local agencies continue normal cooling intake through September 30, 2026, or until funds are exhausted. No crisis applications are taken through the statewide online portal.
2026 income limits
The limits below apply from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. They are based on 60% of Louisiana’s estimated State Median Income. The local agency makes the final income decision.
| 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 |
These figures come from the official 2026 income notice. New limits are expected October 1, 2026.
Local application examples
Each parish uses its own intake process. Residents can check official pages such as Baton Rouge LIHEAP, Jefferson Parish LIHEAP, or Calcasieu utility help. Everyone else should use the parish provider map on the state page.
How crisis LIHEAP works
A crisis may include threatened disconnection, service that is already off, no usable heating or cooling source, or an equipment problem that creates an energy emergency. The agency must still check eligibility, documents, the utility account, and available funding.
The current LIHEAP service guide sets response standards of no later than 48 hours for a non-life-threatening crisis and 18 hours for a life-threatening crisis. This means some action to resolve an eligible crisis; it does not promise that the full balance will be paid.
If documents are missing, the local agency normally gives the applicant 10 business days to provide them or request more time. A case can be denied when the deadline passes without the information.
Shutoff rules and special protections
The Louisiana Public Service Commission has extreme-weather rules for residential electric and natural gas customers served by utilities under its authority. Municipal systems and utilities regulated by another local body may use different rules.
Under the weather protection rules, a covered utility cannot disconnect residential service in a parish during defined extreme cold. Electric shutoffs are also restricted when the nearest National Weather Service office has issued a heat advisory. The order has limits for natural gas accounts that do not provide summer cooling.
Weather protection delays a disconnection; it does not remove the balance. Keep working on a payment arrangement or assistance application.
Family violence deposit waiver
A person opening utility service after family violence may be able to avoid an initial credit or deposit requirement. The LPSC provides a family violence deposit waiver for certification by an approved medical, law-enforcement, prosecutor, attorney general, or family-violence program representative. Use ASMOM’s Louisiana safety guide to find advocate support.
Utility complaints
Contact the company first when you believe a regulated utility made a billing error or ignored a rule. If the problem is not resolved, the LPSC complaint page explains what to submit. Keep bills, notices, payment receipts, account notes, and the names of company representatives.
Utility company payment help
Company programs are separate from LIHEAP. Ask about every option for which you may qualify, but confirm whether an arrangement itself prevents disconnection.
| Company | Programs to check | Important limit |
|---|---|---|
| Entergy Louisiana | Entergy bill help, payment arrangements, LIHEAP referrals, The Power to Care | The Power to Care mainly serves qualifying older adults and people with disabilities through local partners. |
| Cleco | Cleco customer assistance, CARE discount, budget billing, credit extension, Critical Care Alert | CARE is linked to LIHEAP participation; medical registration does not guarantee power during an outage. |
| SWEPCO | SWEPCO payment help, arrangements, Neighbor to Neighbor, average monthly payments | Programs depend on account status, eligibility, and available funds. |
| Atmos Energy | Atmos bill assistance, LIHEAP referrals, Sharing the Warmth, payment solutions | Local partner agencies decide assistance under their rules. |
If a person in the home uses medical equipment or has a health condition affected by disconnection, ask the utility for its exact medical form. Entergy’s medical needs page explains that documentation may support special payment arrangements, but the company cannot guarantee uninterrupted service or priority restoration.
Water and sewer bill help
Regular LIHEAP is for home energy, not most water or sewer bills. Call the water provider before the shutoff date and ask about a payment plan, hardship program, leak adjustment, disputed meter reading, or local referral. Then call 211.
In New Orleans, the SWBNO payment assistance page lists the Water Help Program. It can provide an account credit of up to $200 each year for qualifying customers. It covers water and sewer charges but not City of New Orleans sanitation charges.
Other cities and parish systems use their own rules. A high bill caused by a leak may use a different review process from hardship assistance. Ask what repair proof, plumber statement, photos, or usage records are required.
Lower future bills with weatherization
The Louisiana Weatherization Assistance Program can provide approved energy-saving work for eligible homes. Measures may include air sealing, insulation, weather-stripping, duct work, and other improvements selected after an energy assessment.
Start with the LHC weatherization page and contact the provider for your parish. The program gives priority to groups that include families with children, people with disabilities, older adults, homes with high energy use, and households with a high energy burden.
Weatherization is not an emergency bill payment. A home may need inspection, owner permission, or health and safety work before energy measures can begin. Renters should ask what the landlord must sign.
For related household costs, use ASMOM’s Louisiana housing guide.
Documents to gather
Call even if one record is missing. Ask whether the office can begin the intake and what alternative proof it accepts.
| Document | Why it matters | Practical tip |
|---|---|---|
| Recent energy bill | Shows the account, address, and current balance | Louisiana asks for heating and cooling bills no older than 30 days. |
| Disconnect notice | Supports a crisis request | Make sure the shutoff date is visible. |
| Photo identification | Confirms the applicant | The current guide allows an active or expired government photo ID. |
| Social Security records | Confirms household members | An exception may apply to a baby born within the last 12 months who has no issued number yet. |
| Income proof | Used for the household income test | Gather the prior 30 days of pay and proof of benefits or other income. |
| Address and housing proof | Connects the applicant to the service address | Use a lease, rent receipt, deed, or other accepted record. |
| Medical certification | May support a utility medical process | Use the company’s form and confirm where the provider should send it. |
| Submission records | Helps with follow-up or appeal | Save emails, screenshots, fax reports, and call notes. |
ASMOM’s documents checklist gives a longer application list.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Waiting until shutoff day. The utility and local agency may need time to verify the account and pledge.
- Using only the closed portal. Local agencies still use their normal intake methods.
- Assuming an application stops disconnection. Confirm the account status directly with the utility.
- Sending old bills. Use a current bill and a readable disconnect notice.
- Ignoring a name mismatch. Ask what proof is needed when the bill is in a landlord’s, relative’s, or former partner’s name.
- Paying an application fee. Louisiana LIHEAP does not charge to apply and will not ask for banking passwords or card details.
- Assuming medical status forgives debt. Medical programs may delay action or create arrangements, but the bill still needs a plan.
If help is denied, delayed, or unavailable
Ask for the decision in writing. Check whether the problem is missing proof, income, the utility account name, an inactive account, the wrong season, or no remaining funds.
Louisiana LIHEAP provides a first-level review through the local agency when assistance is denied or not handled with reasonable promptness. The local agency must give a written decision. If the issue is not resolved, a second-level written appeal to the Louisiana Housing Corporation must be received or postmarked within 10 business days of the first-level decision. Follow the instructions given with your application or decision.
If funds are exhausted, ask whether the agency has a waiting list and whether crisis money is still available. A place on a waiting list does not guarantee an appointment or payment. Call the utility and 211 for backup options.
Use ASMOM’s benefits problem guide to organize records. The Louisiana legal guide may help when a billing dispute, improper shutoff, landlord issue, or appeal needs legal review.
Phone scripts
Calling the LIHEAP agency
“Hello, I live in _____ Parish and need to apply for LIHEAP. My utility is _____, and my disconnect date is _____. Are you taking crisis applications, and what documents and intake method should I use?”
Calling the utility
“Hello, my account has a disconnect date of _____. I am contacting LIHEAP. What payment arrangement, extension, or agency pledge can keep service connected, and what is my confirmation number?”
Calling 211
“Hello, I need help with a utility bill in _____ Parish. I have already contacted LIHEAP and my utility. Please check for Community Action, churches, hardship funds, and other agencies accepting requests.”
Calling about a denial
“Hello, I received a LIHEAP denial or my application has not been handled. Please explain the reason, the first-level review process, the deadline, and how I can get the decision in writing.”
Resumen en español
Si necesita ayuda con electricidad, gas, calefacción o aire acondicionado en Louisiana, comuníquese con la agencia de LIHEAP de su parroquia. La solicitud estatal por internet está cerrada, pero las agencias locales continúan con solicitudes de verano hasta el 30 de septiembre de 2026 o hasta que se terminen los fondos.
Si tiene aviso de corte, llame también a la compañía de servicios y pregunte por un plan de pago, extensión o promesa de pago de una agencia. Llame al 211 o mande su código postal al 898-211 para buscar ayuda local.
Guarde la factura, aviso de corte, identificación, prueba de ingresos, prueba de domicilio y comprobantes de todo lo que envió. Si niegan LIHEAP, pida la decisión por escrito y las instrucciones para solicitar una revisión.
FAQs about Louisiana utility help
Is Louisiana LIHEAP open in July 2026?
The statewide online cooling application is closed, but local agencies continue normal cooling-season intake through September 30, 2026, or until funds run out.
Can LIHEAP stop a utility shutoff?
It may help if the agency approves a crisis benefit and the utility accepts its pledge. A pending application alone does not automatically stop disconnection.
What are the 2026 LIHEAP income limits?
The annual limit is $30,618 for one person, $40,039 for two, $49,460 for three, and $58,882 for four. Higher household limits are listed by Louisiana Housing Corporation.
Does LIHEAP pay water bills?
Regular LIHEAP mainly helps with home energy. Ask the water provider and 211 about payment plans, hardship programs, leak adjustments, and local funds.
Can a utility disconnect during extreme heat?
LPSC-regulated electric utilities have heat-advisory restrictions on residential disconnections. Municipal or locally regulated systems may have different rules. The balance still remains due.
Can I appeal a LIHEAP denial?
Yes. Start with the local agency’s review process. A second-level written appeal to Louisiana Housing Corporation must be received or postmarked within 10 business days of the first decision.
Last updated: July 16, 2026. Next review: October 16, 2026.
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 July 16, 2026, next review October 16, 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.