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Residents of Aransas County, including Rockport and Aransas Pass, who are facing high electric bills or the threat of a disconnection notice have access to financial help. An Aransas County Texas electric bill assistance program can provide critical support during times of financial hardship. Relief is available through several primary pathways: state-funded programs managed by a designated local agency, community-based charitable support from organizations within Aransas County, and specific assistance programs offered directly by your Retail Electric Provider. Navigating these options can provide immediate relief and long-term stability for your household's energy needs.
When facing a utility crisis, taking the right steps in the right order is critical. Time is often a factor, especially when dealing with a disconnection notice. These actions should be your immediate priority.
Step 1: Contact Your Retail Electric Provider (REP)
Your first and most important call is to the company that sends your monthly electric bill. In Texas's deregulated energy market, this is your Retail Electric Provider (REP), such as Reliant Energy, TXU Energy, Constellation, Direct Energy, or one of many others. Their customer service phone number is printed directly on your bill.
It is essential to contact them before your service is disconnected. Many people mistakenly call AEP Texas first; AEP is the utility (or TDSP) that owns the poles and wires, reads the meter, and handles outages, but they do not handle your billing. You must speak to your REP about billing problems.
When you call, specifically ask what assistance options are available. These may include:
Step 2: Call 2-1-1 Texas
Your second step is to contact 2-1-1 Texas. This is a free, confidential information and referral service operated by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. It is the single most accurate and up-to-date resource for finding financial assistance in your area.
You can reach them by:
When you call, select your language and then choose Option 1 for "utility assistance". A trained specialist will ask for your zip code and details about your situation. They can provide a list of local agencies in or serving Aransas County that have utility assistance funds available at that moment.
This step is vital because community and charitable funds are limited and are often depleted quickly. A call to 2-1-1 prevents you from wasting time calling organizations that have already exhausted their funding for the month. Furthermore, many of the large REPs (like Reliant and TXU) partner with local agencies to distribute their own hardship funds, and 2-1-1 is the primary way to locate those specific partners.
Step 3: Contact Your Local Utility (AEP Texas)
Your third step is to contact AEP Texas. As the Transmission and Distribution Service Provider (TDSP) for all of Aransas County, AEP Texas maintains the power lines and is responsible for the safe delivery of your electricity, regardless of which REP you buy it from. While they do not handle your billing disputes, they offer specific programs available to all customers in their service territory.
You can contact AEP Texas at 877-373-4858 for customer operations or 866-223-8508 to report outages. Ask about these two programs:
The largest source of funding for utility bills comes from the federal government through programs administered at the state and local levels. For Aransas County residents, there is one specific, designated organization that processes these applications.
Crossroads Community Action: Your Designated Local Provider
The main federal program for utility help is the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). In Texas, LIHEAP is managed by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) and is called the Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP).
The TDHCA does not provide this money directly to individuals. Instead, it contracts with local non-profit "subrecipients" to manage the program for specific service areas.
For the entire 9-county region that includes Aransas County, the designated provider for CEAP is Crossroads Community Action, also known as the Community Action Committee of Victoria, Texas (CACVT).
This is a critical point: you will not find a CEAP or LIHEAP office in Rockport or Aransas Pass. You must apply for this state-level assistance through Crossroads Community Action, whose main office is in Victoria. This agency receives the funds from TDHCA and distributes them directly to the utility companies on behalf of eligible clients in Aransas County.
Crossroads Community Action Contact Information:
Eligibility for CEAP (LIHEAP) Assistance
Assistance from Crossroads Community Action (CEAP) is designed for low-income households and is not guaranteed. The program provides financial relief by making direct payments to your REP for electricity or gas bills.
Income Requirements
To be eligible, a household's total gross income must be at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Based on current guidelines, the maximum yearly income levels are:
Priority Households
Funding is limited, so priority is given to low-income households that are most vulnerable to energy-related emergencies. This includes households with at least one member who is:
Required Documents for Application
When you apply, you will need to provide a completed application along with comprehensive documentation. Being prepared with these items will speed up the process. You will likely need:
Important Update: Texas Utility Help (TUH) Program Status
Many websites and older resources may refer to the "Texas Utility Help" (TUH) program and its website, texasutilityhelp.com.
It is crucial to know that this statewide portal is CLOSED. The Texas Utility Help program stopped accepting new applications for energy assistance in September 2023 and is no longer funded.
The correct resource from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) is the "Help for Texans" web page. This portal allows you to search for the specific local provider in your area. For Aransas County, this search will lead you to Crossroads Community Action, as detailed above.
The official TDHCA "Help for Texans" portal is: https://www.tdhca.texas.gov/help-for-texans
In addition to state and federal programs, a vital network of local, community-based organizations in Aransas County provides direct, emergency assistance to residents. These organizations are often volunteer-run and are funded by local donations, meaning their ability to help depends on available funding.
Rockport-Fulton Good Samaritans, Inc.
Rockport-Fulton Good Samaritans is a cornerstone of the local support system. It is a volunteer-driven organization created specifically to assist citizens of Aransas County. While they are well-known for their food pantry and clothing assistance, they also provide limited utility assistance to low-income families. Because all assistance is subject to change based on available funding, you must contact them directly to inquire about help.
Society of St. Vincent de Paul (Rockport)
Operating out of St. Peter's Catholic Church in Rockport, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul offers "person to person help" to anyone in need or suffering within Aransas County. This ministry is dedicated to providing emergency assistance, which can include help with utility bills to keep the power on. They meet with individuals and families in person to assess their needs.
Catholic Charities of Corpus Christi
Catholic Charities of Corpus Christi is a larger, regional organization that serves a 12-county area, including Aransas County. Their Emergency Aid Program is designed to provide financial assistance for rent and utilities to prevent homelessness.
The application process for this agency is very specific and time-sensitive.
The Salvation Army of the Coastal Bend
The Salvation Army is another major regional "hub" that provides emergency services to the Coastal Bend area from its base in Corpus Christi. Their Homeless Prevention programs can offer emergency financial assistance for both rent and utilities to families at risk of losing their housing. Aransas County residents should contact the Corpus Christi office to determine their eligibility and the availability of funds.
Beyond the immediate payment plans discussed in Step 1, your Retail Electric Provider (REP) and your utility (AEP Texas) offer more structured, long-term assistance programs.
Retail Provider Hardship Funds (Customer-Only)
Many of the largest REPs in Texas manage special hardship funds, often funded by customer and corporate donations. Assistance from these programs is available only to customers of that specific company.
Reliant Energy: CARE Program
TXU Energy: TXU Energy Aid Program
Other Providers (Constellation, Direct Energy, etc.)
If your provider is not Reliant or TXU, call the customer service number on your bill. Specifically ask them, "Do you have a customer hardship fund?" or "Do you partner with any local agencies for bill assistance?" Many providers, like Constellation, will also direct you to 2-1-1 to find these resources.
AEP Texas: Energy Efficiency and Weatherization
AEP Texas offers programs that address the root cause of high bills: energy consumption. These programs are not emergency grants but are free services that can provide significant, long-term savings on your monthly bills.
Targeted Low-Income Program
Finally, several county and state-level agencies provide a broad safety net that can help free up funds for utilities or provide direct referrals.
Aransas County Indigent Health Care Program
This is a county-level program of last resort, primarily designed to provide basic medical services to residents who are ineligible for any other state or federal healthcare coverage. While its main focus is health, this office is a key part of the county's social safety net. They are an excellent resource to contact for referrals to other county-level aid or to see if their services can indirectly alleviate your financial burden.
Aransas County Council on Aging
If you or anyone in your household is a senior citizen (typically 60 or older), the Aransas County Council on Aging should be one of your first calls. Seniors are a priority group for almost all utility assistance programs. The Council on Aging can connect you with senior-specific services, meal programs (which free up household income), and other resources that can help you maintain your financial independence.
Texas Health & Human Services Commission (HHSC)
The local HHSC office is where you can apply for other state and federal benefits. Applying for these programs is a smart step, as they can free up money in your budget to pay for utilities. Furthermore, being enrolled in programs like SNAP or Medicaid often automatically qualifies you for other low-income utility benefits and discounts.
The primary resource is the Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP), also known as LIHEAP. This federal program provides financial help to low-income households. The Community Action Committee of Victoria, TX is the local agency that administers this program for Aransas County residents.
The most direct way to apply for the Aransas County Texas electric bill assistance program is to call 2-1-1 and ask for the utility assistance intake line. They will connect you with the Community Action Committee of Victoria or other active local programs.
Eligibility is primarily based on household income, which must be at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Priority is often given to households with elderly individuals, people with disabilities, or young children (age five and under).
You will typically need a photo ID, proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residency, a copy of your most recent electric bill (or disconnection notice), and proof of income for all household members for the last 30 days.
Yes. CEAP offers crisis assistance for households in immediate danger of disconnection. When you apply, state that you have a disconnection notice. Local non-profits, like Catholic Charities or the Salvation Army, may also offer emergency financial aid for utility crises.
Yes. Residents may also be eligible for the statewide Texas Utility Help program, which can help pay for past-due electricity and water bills. Additionally, some utility providers offer their own payment plans or charitable funds for customers facing hardship.
The Community Action Committee of Victoria, TX manages the CEAP program for Aransas County. You should call them first to confirm office hours and locations for in-person application submission, as services may be centralized or require an appointment.
The amount of assistance varies based on your household's income, size, and energy usage. The program can provide a one-time payment or co-payment directly to your electric company to help lower your bill or prevent disconnection.
Yes, the CEAP program is designed to help with both heating and cooling costs. Given the Texas climate, assistance with high summer electric bills for air conditioning is a key component of the Aransas County Texas electric bill assistance program.
If you don't meet the income guidelines, contact your utility provider directly. Ask about deferred payment plans, budget billing, or any local hardship funds they may sponsor. They often have options for customers facing a temporary financial setback.
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