Armstrong County Texas Electric Bill Assistance Program Solutions

Finding help with an armstrong county texas electric bill assistance program can be a stressful experience, but direct support is available for residents facing high energy costs or disconnection notices.

Solutions exist through federal, state, and local community programs. The primary administrator for government-funded energy assistance in Armstrong County is Panhandle Community Services, which processes applications for key programs designed to help low-income households manage their utility payments.

The Primary Agency for Armstrong County Utility Help: Panhandle Community Services

For residents of Armstrong County, including the city of Claude, the designated local agency for state and federal utility assistance is Panhandle Community Services (PCS).

This organization is a non-profit community action agency that administers these programs for a 26-county region in the Texas Panhandle.

While there is no office physically located within Armstrong County, residents apply through the main PCS office in Amarillo. This centralization is common for rural counties and ensures services are administered efficiently.

Actionable contact information for Armstrong County residents is:

• Organization: Panhandle Community Services (PCS)
• Phone: 806-372-2531
• Address: 1309 W. 8th, Plaza C, Amarillo, Texas 79101
• Website for Assistance Requests: https.www.pcsvcs.org/services/utility/

Federal and State Energy Assistance Programs for Armstrong County Residents

Armstrong County residents have two primary tracks for government-funded assistance. Both are managed at the state level by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) but are accessed in different ways.

Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP)

The Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) is the main, ongoing program that residents apply for locally through Panhandle Community Services. CEAP is designed to assist low-income households in meeting their immediate energy needs and to help them become more self-sufficient.

Key services provided by CEAP include:

• Utility Bill Payments: Direct financial assistance to help pay for electricity, natural gas, or propane.
• Crisis Assistance: In emergencies, such as a disconnection notice or a broken appliance, CEAP may provide crisis-related support. This can include the purchase of portable heating and cooling units when available.
• Energy Education: The program offers services beyond just payments, including energy education, needs assessment, and budget counseling to help consumers control their long-term energy consumption.

When allocating funds, priority is given to low-income households with the highest energy use, a high energy burden, or the presence of vulnerable individuals. This includes households with a child aged five or under, a disabled person, an elderly individual, or a veteran.

The Link Between LIHEAP and CEAP

Residents may often hear about the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). It is important to understand the relationship between these two programs to avoid confusion.

• LIHEAP is the federal program that provides the funding for energy assistance.
• CEAP is the Texas state program that residents apply for.

The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) integrates all LIHEAP-funded programs into CEAP. This integration enhances efficiency and eliminates duplication of services. For an Armstrong County resident, this means the path to receiving LIHEAP-funded help is by applying for CEAP through Panhandle Community Services.

Texas Utility Help Program (TDHCA)

The Texas Utility Help program is a separate, statewide program administered directly by the TDHCA. It is available to both qualified Texas homeowners and renters who have been impacted by the financial effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This program offers significant financial assistance and is accessible online, regardless of what county a resident lives in.

Key features of the Texas Utility Help program include:

• Past-Due Bill Payments: Provides financial assistance to pay off total past-due payments for electricity, natural gas, and propane.
• Future Payments: A critical benefit of this program is that it can provide assistance for future bills, with some sources noting up to $2,400 in prospective payments.
• Water and Wastewater: Applicants can also request assistance for past-due and current water and wastewater bills in the same application.

How to Apply for Texas Utility Help: Unlike CEAP, this program is not managed by Panhandle Community Services. Applicants apply directly to the state.

• Online Application: texasutilityhelp.com
• Call Center: For questions or for help with the application, a multilingual call center is available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 855-566-2057.

General Eligibility for Energy Assistance

While specific requirements may vary slightly, the primary state and federal programs (CEAP/LIHEAP and Texas Utility Help) share a common set of eligibility criteria.

• Income Requirement: The primary requirement is based on household income. A household's income must be at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines. For example, 150% of the federal poverty level for a household of two is an annual income of $31,725; for a household of three, it is $39,975; and for a household of four, it is $48,225.
• Citizenship Requirement: At least one occupant in the household must be a U.S. citizen or a "qualified non-citizen".
• Residency Requirement: The applicant must be a Texas resident and live at the residence for which assistance is being requested.
• Bill Status: Applicants generally must have a current outstanding utility bill. For the Texas Utility Help program, it is not always necessary to be past-due to qualify for future payment assistance.

How to Apply for Assistance at Panhandle Community Services (The CEAP Process)

For residents applying to the local CEAP program, Panhandle Community Services has a specific application process. It is vital to submit a complete application, as incomplete applications will not be reviewed or processed.

Step 1: Gather Required Documents

Applicants must supply documentation for all household members. Gathering these items before applying can speed up the process. Required documents typically include:

• Proof of Identity: A valid Photo ID (such as a State ID or Driver's License) for all household members over the age of 18.
• Proof of Household Composition: Birth certificates for all household members  or, alternately, Social Security cards for everyone in the home.
• Proof of Income: Documentation of all household income for the last 30 days. This includes pay stubs, Social Security (SSI, SSDI), TANF, retirement, veteran's benefits, or child support statements.
• Proof of Need: The most recent utility bill and any disconnection notice.

A critical requirement is that the name on the utility bill must match the name of the person applying for assistance.

Step 2: Choose Your Application Method

Panhandle Community Services offers two primary ways to apply for assistance.

• Online: Applicants can submit an intake form through the "CLICK HERE TO REQUEST ASSISTANCE" portal on the Panhandle Community Services website.
• Paper Application: An application can be downloaded from the website. Paper applications are also available for pickup at the nearest PCS center. For Armstrong County residents, this is the Amarillo office. Completed paper applications can be mailed or delivered in person.

Step 3: What to Expect After Applying

It is important to have realistic expectations about the timeline.

• Processing Time: It can take up to 90 days to process a pre-screening intake, and in some cases, it may take longer depending on the volume of applications. A specialist will typically contact the applicant after all documents are submitted, but this process alone may take 30 days or more.
• No Guarantee: Filling out an application is not a guarantee of services. Assistance is dependent on available funding and meeting all eligibility requirements.
• Applicant Responsibility: It is the applicant's responsibility to contact PCS if they change utility companies or account numbers during the process.

Assistance from Local Utility Providers in Armstrong County

Because government assistance can take time, the most immediate step for a resident facing disconnection is to contact their electric provider directly.

Armstrong County is not a "power to choose" area of Texas. This means residents cannot shop for different providers; they receive service from a designated utility based on their location.

The primary providers in Armstrong County are Southwestern Public Service Company (an Xcel Energy company), Swisher Electric Cooperative, and Greenbelt Electric.

Xcel Energy / Southwestern Public Service Company (SPS)

Xcel Energy, which operates as Southwestern Public Service Company (SPS), is the largest provider in the county and is the utility for residents in Claude. Xcel Energy offers direct assistance to customers struggling to pay their bills.

• Contact: Call 800-895-4999 to speak with a representative.
• Payment Arrangements: This is the most direct option. Xcel Energy will work with customers to set up a payment plan, spreading the overdue balance over several monthly installments to make it more manageable.
• Medical Needs Verification: This is a critical service. If a household member has a medical emergency, the customer can postpone a service disconnection by providing medical certification. 
• Referrals: Xcel's representatives can also provide referrals to community resources , including directing customers to apply for CEAP at Panhandle Community Services.

Swisher Electric Cooperative

Swisher Electric is a member-owned cooperative serving parts of Armstrong County. Members facing financial hardship should contact the co-op's office immediately to discuss their options.

• Contact: Call 806-995-3567 or toll-free at 800-530-4344 to discuss billing inquiries or payment arrangements.
• Payment Options: The cooperative also offers an automated pay-by-phone system at 1-855-967-3168  and allows cash-only payments at participating Vanilla Direct retail locations.

Greenbelt Electric Cooperative

Greenbelt Electric is another cooperative serving members in the Armstrong County area. Like other providers, the first and best step is direct communication.

• Contact: Call the office at 806-447-2536 to discuss billing and any potential payment options.   
• Payment Options: Payments can also be made by phone at 844-925-4619  or managed online through the Smart Hub portal.

A Note on "Operation Round Up"

Many electric cooperatives, including Swisher  and Greenbelt , have an "Operation Round Up" program. This program automatically rounds up a member's monthly bill to the next whole dollar, with the extra cents going into a charitable fund.

It is important to understand that this fund is generally not for paying member utility bills. These funds are used for broader community projects, grants to local organizations , scholarships , or aid to families for basic needs like food and shelter. Some co-ops explicitly state that funds cannot be applied toward electric bills. Residents should not apply to Operation Round Up for direct bill payment assistance.

Additional Charitable and Community Support

Beyond government programs and utility provider arrangements, a safety net of charitable organizations and referral services is available to residents in the Texas Panhandle.

2-1-1 Texas: Your First Call for Referrals

For anyone needing help with utilities, food, or housing, the first call should be to 2-1-1 Texas.

• What it is: A free, confidential, 24/7 information and referral service operated by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.
• How it helps: Live specialists connect callers to local resources and community-based organizations that provide assistance. They maintain the most up-to-date database of agencies that may have available funds for utility assistance.
• How to Contact:
• Dial: 2-1-1 or 877-541-7905
• Website: 211texas.org

The Salvation Army of Amarillo

The Salvation Army in Amarillo serves the entire region and offers emergency financial assistance when funds are available.

• Location: 400 S. Harrison St., Amarillo, TX
• Phone: 806-373-6631
• Program Details: Provides emergency utility assistance.
• Important Limitations: Assistance is entirely dependent on available funds  and is not a guaranteed source of help. It operates on a walk-in, first-come, first-served basis. Some local sources note that financial assistance may be limited to a small amount, such as $50.
• How to Apply: Applicants must appear in person and have all required documents: an original State ID/DL or Social Security card, the most recent bill and any disconnect notice, and proof of insurance.

Catholic Charities of the Texas Panhandle (CCTXP)

Catholic Charities of the Texas Panhandle (CCTXP) is another major service provider in the region. It is important to note that CCTXP does not list a direct utility bill payment program. However, it provides a vital, indirect form of financial relief through its food pantry.

• Location: 2004 N Spring St, Amarillo, TX 79107 
• Phone: 806-376-4571
• Relevant Program: The Inter Faith Hunger Project.
• How it Indirectly Helps: This program provides a free monthly supply of food to qualifying individuals (those 50 or older, or on disability, with a fixed income).

By supplementing a household's food supply, the program helps clients "keep the money they would use for food in order to pay for other necessities," such as medications, rent, or utilities.

To qualify for the Inter Faith Hunger Project, applicants must provide proof of age/disability, proof of income, a photo ID, and proof of address. A utility bill is an acceptable form of proof of address.

Frequently Asked Questions