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Residents seeking a Baylor County Texas electric bill assistance program have several specific avenues for help. The right path depends on your location and utility provider.
Financial aid is available through a primary local community action agency. Help also comes from distinct programs offered by local electric providers—whether you are a customer of the City of Seymour, a member of Tri-County Electric Cooperative, or in the Oncor service area.
This resource provides the direct contacts and program details for the Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) administrator for Baylor County, charitable organizations, and the specific assistance options from your electric company.
For residents of Baylor County, the main organization for state and federally-funded utility help is Rolling Plains Management Corporation (RPMC).
Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP)
The primary government program is the Texas Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP), which is funded by the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). These funds are designed to help low-income households meet their immediate energy needs and provide education on controlling energy costs.
The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) oversees these funds statewide but does not provide assistance directly to individuals. Instead, TDHCA contracts with local organizations, known as subrecipients, to manage the programs in all 254 Texas counties.
Rolling Plains Management Corporation is the designated subrecipient for Baylor County. This agency administers the CEAP funds and processes applications for direct utility payment assistance for eligible low-income individuals and families.
How to Apply for CEAP Assistance at Rolling Plains
The application process at Rolling Plains Management Corporation is multi-step and requires specific documentation. Be aware that program funding is cyclical and based on availability. The RPMC website has at times noted, "The application window is closed at this time," so it is important to contact the office directly for the most current status.
When the application window is open, the process generally follows these steps:
Required items typically include:
Baylor County Contact Information for RPMC
While Rolling Plains Management Corporation serves Baylor County, its local office is located in neighboring Foard County. This is the correct office for Baylor County residents to contact for utility assistance.
Finding the right help in Baylor County is uniquely complex because the county is served by three different types of electric providers. The assistance you are eligible for depends entirely on which company sends your monthly bill.
It is critical to identify your provider before seeking help:
If Your Provider is the City of Seymour
Residents living within the Seymour city limits receive their electricity directly from the City of Seymour Electric Department, which owns and manages its own distribution system. Your bill comes from City Hall.
In this case, you must work directly with the city for payment options. The City of Seymour's municipal code includes provisions for a "Payment Plan". Residents facing difficulty should contact Seymour City Hall before their bill becomes delinquent to inquire about a payment plan or other available arrangements.
According to city policy, utility bills are typically mailed by the 7th of the month and are due on the 18th. Failure to pay the total bill can result in disconnection of utility services.
If Your Provider is Tri-County Electric Cooperative (TCEC)
Many residents in Baylor County are member-owners of Tri-County Electric Cooperative (TCEC). TCEC provides its members with access to specific financial assistance programs.
The Brazos Electric Ratepayer Hardship Fund
Because TCEC is a member-owner of the Brazos Electric Power Cooperative , its members may be eligible for the Brazos Electric Ratepayer Hardship Fund. This fund was established to provide bill credits to qualifying lower-income residential members to help offset additional charges related to Winter Storm Uri.
Eligibility: A TCEC member may be eligible if they meet one of these criteria:
How to Apply: Members can apply online or by mail. For questions or to begin an application, contact the fund administrator directly at 844-770-8549.
TCEC Community Assistance Referrals
TCEC also provides a curated list of community assistance agencies that it partners with to help its members. For Baylor County, TCEC explicitly directs members to two key organizations:
This list confirms that these are the correct agencies to contact for assistance if you are a TCEC member.
If Your Provider is a Retail Company (Oncor Service Area)
In deregulated parts of Baylor County, your electric service is split between two companies.
If you are in this situation, Oncor does not handle your bill or offer direct payment assistance. You must contact the REP listed on your monthly bill.
Assistance from Your Retail Electric Provider (REP)
Most REPs offer financial hardship programs, often funded by shareholder and customer donations. You must call your provider's customer service number and ask what options are available.
Additionally, a Texas law (SB 1976) allows electric providers to offer benefits to low-income customers who are enrolled in SNAP or Medicaid. You must contact your REP directly to see if they participate in this program.
Oncor's Low-Income Weatherization Program
While Oncor does not pay your electric bill, it does offer a separate, valuable program to help low-income customers in its service area reduce their long-term energy costs.
The Oncor Low-Income Weatherization Program provides incentives to service providers who install energy-saving upgrades in qualifying homes at little to no cost to the resident. These upgrades can include insulation, heating and cooling improvements, and other measures to make the home more energy-efficient.
Eligibility: To qualify, your home must be in the Oncor service area, and your household income must be at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines. Funding for this program is limited and often claimed quickly each year, so it is best to check for program availability early in the year.
Beyond provider-specific programs, several large charitable organizations offer emergency financial assistance to any qualifying Baylor County resident, regardless of their electric company.
The Salvation Army (Wichita Falls)
The Salvation Army offers emergency assistance, including help with utility bills, when funds are available. The office in Wichita Falls serves the wider region, including Baylor County. This location often partners with REPs like TXU Energy to distribute aid.
The primary way to apply for assistance from The Salvation Army is through their national online portal.
Catholic Charities Fort Worth (CCFW)
Catholic Charities Fort Worth (CCFW) offers Community Assistance, including utility help, to individuals across its 28-county diocese, which includes Baylor County. You do not need to be Catholic to receive services.
The application process for CCFW is very specific and time-sensitive.
If you need further help, these statewide resources can connect you to the right local providers.
2-1-1 Texas: Your First Call for Referrals
2-1-1 Texas is a free, confidential information and referral helpline. It is an excellent starting point if you are unsure who to call.
You can dial 2-1-1 from any phone (or 877-541-7905) and speak with a trained specialist. When you ask for utility bill assistance in Baylor County, they will use their comprehensive database to connect you with the specific, authorized agencies in your area, such as Rolling Plains Management Corporation and The Salvation Army. You can also search for resources online at 211texas.org.
Texas Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)
In addition to the CEAP bill payment program, the state also offers the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP). This program is designed to lower the long-term energy costs for low-income households by installing energy-efficiency measures.
Services may include adding ceiling, wall, and floor insulation; caulking and weather-stripping; and repairing or replacing inefficient heating and cooling systems. Priority is given to households with elderly individuals, people with disabilities, and families with young children.
For Baylor County residents, this program is also administered by Rolling Plains Management Corporation. You can contact them at (940) 684-1571 to apply for both bill payment assistance and weatherization services.
If you have received a disconnection notice, you must act immediately. Ignoring it is the worst possible action. You have specific rights as a Texas resident.
If you are facing financial hardship and cannot pay your electric bill, follow these steps in order.
4. Step 4 (TCEC Members): If you are a Tri-County Electric Cooperative member, ask about your eligibility for the Brazos Electric Ratepayer Hardship Fund.
5. Step 5 (Referrals): If you need other resources for food, housing, or health, dial 2-1-1.
The primary resource is the Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP), also known as LIHEAP. This federal program is locally administered by Rolling Plains C.A.P. (Community Action Partnership) to help low-income households in Baylor County manage their energy costs.
To apply for the Baylor County Texas electric bill assistance program, you must contact Rolling Plains C.A.P. directly. They are the local agency that processes applications, verifies eligibility, and distributes CEAP funds for the area.
Eligibility is based on household income (typically at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines), household size, and citizenship status. Priority for the Baylor County Texas electric bill assistance program is often given to households with seniors, disabled individuals, or children under five.
Yes. If you have a disconnection notice, immediately contact Rolling Plains C.A.P. at (940) 684-1571. Emergency CEAP funds may be available to stop disconnection for eligible Baylor County residents in a crisis situation.
You will generally need a valid ID, proof of U.S. citizenship for all household members, proof of 30 days of income, and your most recent electric bill. Having a 12-month billing history from your provider is also helpful.
No. As of late 2023, the Texas Utility Help online portal is closed and no longer accepts new applications. All residents, including those in Baylor County, are now directed to contact their local subrecipient, which is Rolling Plains C.A.P.
CEAP (Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program) is the official program Texas uses to distribute federal LIHEAP funds. For Baylor County residents, it provides direct payments to utility companies to help cover the cost of electric bills for qualifying low-income families.
If you need additional resources or cannot reach the local office, dial 2-1-1 and select the "utility assistance" option. This free service can provide referrals to other non-profits or faith-based organizations in the Baylor County area that may offer help.
Yes, your utility provider is often a good place to start. Companies like AEP Texas may offer budget billing, payment extensions, or their own hardship funds (like the "Neighbor to Neighbor" program). You must call them directly to discuss your options.
Households with members who are elderly (60+) or have a documented disability are a primary focus for CEAP. These households may qualify for more assistance or have more flexible eligibility criteria to ensure their power remains on.
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