Briscoe County Texas Electric Bill Assistance Program Resources

Residents of Briscoe County, Texas, facing high electricity bills or disconnection notices can find immediate help. The primary source for financial aid is the Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) , administered locally by Panhandle Community Services. This organization provides direct utility payment assistance to low-income households. Additional support, including energy-saving home improvements and emergency aid, is also available through local community partners.

The Primary Source for Utility Help in Briscoe County

Panhandle Community Services: The Local Utility Assistance Provider

Panhandle Community Services (PCS) is the designated non-profit, community-based organization tasked with assisting low-income individuals and families across the Texas Panhandle. For residents of Briscoe County, PCS is the official, designated agency responsible for administering state and federal utility assistance programs.

While searching for help, residents may encounter information for agencies in other parts of Texas, such as Brazos, Hays, or Caldwell counties. This information is not relevant for Briscoe County. The correct and primary point of contact is Panhandle Community Services, whose mission is to help families bridge the gap from poverty to stability by providing direct support.

What is the Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP)?

The Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) is the main utility assistance program available to Texans. It is a federally funded program, drawing from the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), and is administered at the state level by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA).

TDHCA distributes these funds to local subrecipients, like Panhandle Community Services, which manage the program for their service area.

The program is specifically designed to assist low-income households in meeting their immediate energy needs. This is not a loan; it is a grant that provides financial assistance for electricity, natural gas, and propane bills. A primary goal of CEAP is to prevent disconnections and stabilize utility costs for families in crisis.

How to Apply for Assistance at Panhandle Community Services

Panhandle Community Services provides a structured process for applying for CEAP. The most important step is gathering all required documentation before starting the application.

Gather These Documents First

To ensure the application is processed, households will need to provide specific documentation. Staff will require these items to verify identity, income, and need. Required documents include:

• Identification: A government-issued picture ID (like a Driver's License) for all household members who are 18 years of age or older.
• Birth Certificates: Valid birth certificates (from Vital Statistics) for every member of the household, including all children.
• Proof of Income: Proof of all household income for the last 30 days. This includes paystubs, Social Security award letters, child support statements, or unemployment benefit information.
• Utility Bill: The most current utility bill. If facing disconnection, the disconnect notice is required. The bill must be in the name of the applicant.

Application Methods

Once all documents are gathered, residents can apply using one of two methods:

1. Online Application: Panhandle Community Services offers an online portal. Residents can find a link or button on the pcsvcs.org website, often labeled "CLICK HERE TO REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE".
2. Paper Application: Paper applications are also available. These can be picked up at the nearest Panhandle Community Services center. This option is specifically noted as available for elderly or disabled individuals who may need assistance.

It is critical for applicants to understand that completing an application does not guarantee services or payment. Furthermore, the processing time can be lengthy; it may take 30 days or more for a specialist to contact the applicant after documents are submitted. This timeline makes it essential for those in an immediate crisis to also explore the emergency resources listed later.

Eligibility and Local Contact Information

Eligibility for Electric Bill Assistance

Eligibility for the Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) is primarily determined by household income. To receive utility assistance from Panhandle Community Services, a household must be at or below 150% of the current U.S. Poverty Guidelines.

Additionally, the program gives priority to certain vulnerable households. Priority is given to low-income households with a high energy burden, or those that include:

• An elderly individual
• A disabled individual
• A child aged 5 or under
• A veteran

Income Limits for CEAP Assistance

Eligibility for CEAP is calculated at 150% of the Federal Poverty Income Limits. Based on the guidelines, the household income limits are as follows:

• 1-person household: $23,475
• 2-person household: $31,725
• 3-person household: $39,975
• 4-person household: $48,225
• 5-person household: $56,475
• 6-person household: $64,725 
• 7-person household: $72,975
• 8-person household: $81,225

For families with more than 8 persons, $8,250 is added for each additional person. These figures are based on guidelines from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and are subject to change.

Local Briscoe County Contact Offices

While Panhandle Community Services serves all 26 counties of the Panhandle, they have local offices to provide direct support. For residents of Briscoe County (including Silverton and Quitaque), the nearest physical office is in Memphis, Texas.

Nearest Local Office (Memphis, TX)

This is the closest service center for Briscoe County residents to visit in person to pick up or drop off paper applications and speak with staff.

• Address: 605 W. Main Street, Memphis, TX 79245
• Phone: 806.718.5002

Main Headquarters (Amarillo, TX)

The main administrative office for Panhandle Community Services is located in Amarillo. This office handles general inquiries and program administration.

• Address: 1309 SW 8th Ave, Amarillo, TX 79101
• Phone: (806) 372-2531
• Toll-Free: (800) 676-4727

Other Programs to Lower Your Energy Bills

Reducing Future Bills with the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)

Panhandle Community Services offers more than just reactive bill payment assistance; they also provide a proactive, long-term solution. The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) is a free program designed to help low-income families reduce their energy consumption and lower their utility costs.

This program addresses the root causes of high energy bills by making a home more energy-efficient. Services can include:

• Repairing or replacing heating and cooling units
• Insulating attics, floors, and walls
• Sealing windows and doors to reduce air infiltration
• Replacing old, inefficient refrigerators  

This program is also run by Panhandle Community Services. Crucially, the income eligibility for WAP is higher than for CEAP. A household must be at or below 200% of the current U.S. Poverty Guidelines to qualify. This means that some households who are over-income for CEAP bill payment assistance may still be eligible for this free home improvement program to lower their future bills.

Assistance from Local Electric Cooperatives

Briscoe County is served primarily by member-owned, non-profit electric cooperatives, not large investor-owned utilities. The main providers in the area are Swisher Electric Cooperative and Lighthouse Electric Cooperative. As non-profits, their mission is to provide reliable service to their members.

While many cooperatives in the U.S. offer "Operation Round Up" programs where members donate change to help other members , this specific type of direct payment assistance program does not appear to be offered by the local Briscoe County providers. However, they do provide other valuable benefits to their member-owners.

Swisher Electric Cooperative Member Benefits

Swisher Electric Cooperative serves members in Briscoe, Swisher, Hale, Castro, Randall, and Armstrong counties. While they do not list a direct bill payment assistance program, they offer other benefits that can help member households financially, including:

• Co-op Connections Savings: A savings card that provides discounts on pharmacy, dental, vision, and other services.
• Scholarships: The co-op offers scholarships to active members and their immediate family members.

For any questions about a bill or to discuss payment arrangements, members should contact Swisher Electric directly at (806) 995-3567 or toll-free at (800) 530-4344.

Lighthouse Electric Cooperative Member Benefits

Lighthouse Electric Cooperative serves members across 12 Texas counties, including Briscoe. Like Swisher, Lighthouse does not appear to offer a direct utility payment assistance program. Instead, as a member-owned co-op, it returns value to members through:

• Scholarships: Lighthouse offers scholarships to members and their children, including the Golden Spread Electric Cooperative Directors' Memorial Scholarship.
• Co-op Connections Card: The "Show It And Save!" card provides members with local and national deals, including discounts on prescription drugs.
• Capital Credits: As a non-profit, any revenue not used for operations is eventually returned to members in the form of capital credit checks.

For billing inquiries, members should contact Lighthouse Electric Cooperative directly at (806) 983-2814.

Additional Emergency Resources for Briscoe County

Given that the formal CEAP application process through Panhandle Community Services can take 30 days or more , households facing an immediate disconnection need faster options. The following resources specialize in emergency, short-term aid.  

Emergency Help from The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army is a well-known source of emergency financial assistance for families in crisis. The nearest corps center that serves the Briscoe County area is in Amarillo.

• Location: The Salvation Army of Amarillo
• Address: 400 S. Harrison St, Amarillo, TX 79101
• Phone: (806) 373-6631

This location operates on a walk-in, first-come, first-served basis. This is not an appointment-based system. Residents seeking help should plan to arrive with all required documents in hand. Documents needed include:

• Original State ID or Driver's License
• The most recent utility bill and any disconnect notice (the bill must be in the applicant's name)
• Proof of insurance

This assistance is designed to be a one-time emergency intervention to prevent a utility shut-off.

Texas 2-1-1: A Free Information and Referral Service

Texas 2-1-1 is a free, confidential, and 24/7 helpline operated by the state. By dialing 2-1-1 (or 877-541-7905), residents can connect with a specialist who can provide information and referrals for local services, including utility assistance.

The 2-1-1 specialists maintain the most current database of local community organizations, churches, and other agencies that may have funds available for utility help. They can connect a Briscoe County resident to the proper agencies, including Panhandle Community Services and other local resources that may not be widely publicized.

It is important to note that the statewide "Texas Utility Help" (TUH) website, which once took applications, is CLOSED. The state has exhausted those specific funds and now directs all residents to find help through the "Help for Texans" portal, which will point them to their local CEAP provider (Panhandle Community Services) or to call 2-1-1.

Status of the Lite-Up Texas Program

Some long-time residents may remember the "Lite-Up Texas" program, which provided discounts on electric bills. This program is no longer active. The Texas Legislature declined to extend its funding, and the program ran out of money and officially ended.

Any information directing residents to apply for Lite-Up Texas is outdated. Households that would have previously qualified for that program should now seek assistance through the Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) administered by Panhandle Community Services.

Frequently Asked Questions