Archer County Texas Electric Bill Assistance Program Solutions

Residents seeking an Archer County Texas electric bill assistance program often face a confusing landscape of state and local agencies. For individuals and families struggling with high energy bills or facing a disconnection, the primary organization designated to administer federal and state utility assistance funds for Archer County residents is Rolling Plains Management Corporation (RPMC). This community action agency is the central subrecipient that processes applications and distributes funds from state-level programs.

While state agencies, such as the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA), oversee these funds , they do not accept applications directly from individuals. All assistance is funneled through local providers like RPMC.

Therefore, the first point of contact for government-funded assistance should be the RPMC office that serves Archer County.

Rolling Plains Management Corporation - Archer County Contact:

• Address: 807 8th Street, Suite 300, Wichita Falls, Texas 76301 
• Phone: (940) 723-2261
• Toll-Free: (877) 804-7372

RPMC is a private, non-profit community action agency serving a 28-county area in north-central Texas. They manage two distinct programs essential for residents: the Utility Assistance Program (for crisis bill payment)  and the Weatherization Assistance Program (for long-term energy cost reduction).

First Steps: Identifying Your Electric Provider and Your Path

The first call a resident should make depends entirely on who provides their electricity. Archer County's electric service is a mixture of non-profit electric cooperatives and a deregulated market. This distinction determines the immediate steps to take.

• Path 1: Electric Cooperative Members. If the resident's bill comes directly from J-A-C Electric Cooperative  or Tri-County Electric Cooperative (TCEC) , they are a member-owner. The first step is to call the cooperative's member services department directly.
• Path 2: Deregulated Market Residents. If the resident lives in an area like Archer City , their power is delivered by Oncor Electric , but their bill comes from a Retail Electric Provider (REP) they chose (e.g., TXU Energy, Direct Energy, Gexa Energy, etc.). The first step is to call the REP listed on the bill.

 Assistance for Electric Cooperative Members

Members of a non-profit electric cooperative have a direct relationship with their provider, which should be their first call for help.

For J-A-C Electric Cooperative Members

J-A-C Electric Cooperative is a non-profit provider that has served Jack, Archer, and Clay counties since 1938. As a cooperative, it aims to provide service at fair rates and returns any margins to its members as capital credits.

While the cooperative's policies outline standard fees for activation, collection, and reconnection , they do not list a specific internal hardship fund or bill assistance program. This means J-A-C members are highly dependent on external community agencies for financial aid.

Action Plan for J-A-C Members:

1. Call J-A-C First: Contact J-A-C Member Services at (940) 895-3311.
2. Request Payment Arrangements: Even without a formal "program," the cooperative can offer payment arrangements or extensions to members in good standing. This is the first line of defense to prevent disconnection.
3. Proceed to Section 5: After contacting J-A-C, members should immediately contact Rolling Plains Management Corporation and other local charities, as J-A-C's primary assistance referral will be to these outside agencies.

For Tri-County Electric Cooperative (TCEC) Members

Tri-County Electric Cooperative (TCEC) also serves parts of Archer County. TCEC actively states that it "make[s] every effort to work with members who are having trouble paying their electric bill" and encourages members to call before the due date to discuss options.

Unlike other providers, TCEC has its own specific assistance fund.

Action Plan for TCEC Members:

1. Call TCEC First: Contact TCEC Member Services at 1-800-999-2285.
2. Request Payment Arrangements: Discuss a payment extension or arrangement to secure the account.
3. Inquire about "Cooperative Giving": TCEC operates a charitable fund called "Cooperative Giving". This program is funded by members who voluntarily "round up" their monthly bills to help local families in need.
4. Apply for "Cooperative Giving" Funds: TCEC directs members seeking this past-due bill assistance to apply through a partner agency, Texas Neighborhood Services (TNS). The contact number for TNS is (817) 598-5700 Ext: 1010. This is a crucial, specific assistance path available only to TCEC members.
5. Seek Agency Referrals: TCEC also directly refers its members to Rolling Plains Management Corporation and Catholic Charities , confirming the key agencies detailed in Section 5.

Assistance in Deregulated Areas (Oncor & Retail Providers)

Residents in deregulated parts of Archer County, such as Archer City, must navigate a two-part system.

Understanding Your Bill (REP vs. TDSP)

It is critical to understand the two companies involved in deregulated service:

• Retail Electric Provider (REP): This is the company on the monthly bill (e.g., TXU, Reliant, Constellation, Gexa). The REP handles billing, customer service, and payments. They are the only entity that can grant a payment plan or stop a disconnection.
• Oncor Electric Delivery: This is the Transmission and Distribution Service Provider (TDSP). Oncor owns and maintains the poles and wires, delivers the power, and responds to outages. Oncor does not send a bill, collect payment, or offer bill payment assistance. However, they do offer cost-saving efficiency programs.

Action Plan for Deregulated Residents

Step 1: Call Your Retail Electric Provider (REP) Immediately The REP's phone number is located on the monthly utility bill.

• Request a Deferred Payment Plan: State regulations often require REPs to offer a deferred payment plan to customers who have not received more than two disconnection notices in the past 12 months. This plan allows a resident to pay a past-due balance in installments over several months. Be aware that a "switch-hold" may be placed on the account, preventing a change in providers until the deferred balance is paid.
• Request a Payment Arrangement: For those not eligible for a deferred plan, the REP may offer a short-term payment arrangement or extension.

Step 2: Inquire about REP-Specific Assistance Funds Many large REPs have their own charitable funds to help customers in crisis.

• Residents should ask their REP by name if they have an assistance program, such as the TXU Energy Aid program  or the Reliant CARE Program.   
• These funds are distributed through a network of local social service agencies. For example, The Salvation Army in Wichita Falls is a partner agency for both TXU Energy Aid and Ambit Energy Aid.   

Step 3: Leverage Oncor's Efficiency Programs (Long-Term Help) While Oncor does not pay current bills, it offers programs to reduce future bills.

• Home Energy Efficiency Program: Oncor provides incentives to service providers for energy-saving projects like upgrading insulation or heating and cooling systems.
• Low-Income Weatherization Program: Oncor also provides incentives for energy-saving improvements at "low or no cost" to qualifying low-income residential customers.

These Oncor-funded programs are administered by local Weatherization providers, which, for Archer County, is Rolling Plains Management Corporation. This connects the deregulated path back to the central community agency detailed in Section 6.

The Community Support Network (State & Local Aid for ALL Residents)

The following resources are available to all eligible Archer County residents, regardless of their utility provider. These agencies are the secondary safety net when a payment plan with the provider is not enough.

5.1 Rolling Plains Management Corporation (RPMC) Utility Assistance (CEAP/LIHEAP)

RPMC is the local administrator for the state's main assistance programs.

• Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP): This is the state program designed to assist low-income households with their immediate energy needs.
• Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): This is the federal program that funds CEAP.

Important: Application Window Status The RPMC website may state that the "application window is closed".

This is not a permanent status. These programs are funded in annual cycles; when the funds for the year are exhausted, the window closes until the next funding cycle begins.

Residents should call the Wichita Falls office at (940) 723-2261 regardless of the website's status. They should ask:

1. "When do you expect the application window for utility assistance to reopen?"
2. "Is it possible to be added to a waiting list or a notification list?"

How to Prepare for Your Application (When Open) When the application window opens, funds are often depleted quickly. Being prepared is essential. Based on RPMC's requirements, applicants will need to gather the following documents:

• Proof of Assistance Needed: Copies of all pages (front and back) of the utility bills.
• Proof of Income: Proof of gross income for all household members 18 years of age and older for the 30 days prior to the application date. This includes check stubs, Social Security or VA award letters, or a Declaration of Income Statement for adults with no income.
• Identification: A completed Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) System Certification Form is required for all applications.
• Household Information: A completed Client Consent Form.
• Special Cases: A Landlord Agreement (if renting and requesting appliance repairs)  or a MAACLink Consent form (for Atmos Energy customers).

5.2 The 2-1-1 Texas Lifeline: Your Immediate First Call

The most critical and immediate resource for residents in crisis is 2-1-1 Texas.

• What It Is: A free, 24/7 confidential information and referral service. It is operated by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.
• How to Contact:
• Phone: Dial 2-1-1 or (877) 541-7905.
• Website: https://www.211texas.org
• Why It Is Essential: 2-1-1 operators maintain the most up-to-date database of all available assistance. If RPMC's funds are depleted, 2-1-1 operators may know of a local church or a smaller private charity that has temporary funds available for utility assistance.

5.3 Catholic Charities Fort Worth (CCFW) - Northwest Campus

Catholic Charities Fort Worth established its Northwest Campus in Wichita Falls to provide services to the 28-county Diocese, which includes Archer County.

• Program: The "Community Connections" program provides "holistic case management" and "strategic financial assistance for utilities". 
• How to Contact:
• Phone: (940) 716-9669    
• Address: 901 11th Street, Wichita Falls, TX 76301
• Website: https://catholiccharitiesfortworth.org/northwest-campus/
• Current Status: Funding for assistance programs is always subject to availability. Residents must call the office to confirm that utility assistance funds are currently available.

5.4 The Salvation Army - Wichita Falls Corps

The Salvation Army is another primary provider of emergency services for the region.

• Program: The Wichita Falls location offers "Financial Assistance" for utilities "when funding is available". They are a key partner for deregulated customers, as they collaborate with both TXU Energy Aid and Ambit Energy Aid.
• How to Contact:
• Phone: (940) 322-9822
• Address: 403 7th St, Wichita Falls, TX 76301
• Online Application: The Salvation Army has a national online portal at https://sahelp.org where individuals can enter their zip code to begin a confidential application for assistance.

Long-Term Bill Reduction: The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)

For residents who are consistently burdened by high energy costs, crisis payments are only a temporary fix. The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) offers a long-term solution by making homes more energy-efficient, thereby lowering all future utility bills.

The Local Provider: Rolling Plains Management Corporation (RPMC)

RPMC is the designated subrecipient that administers the WAP for Archer County.

• Who is Eligible: The program serves economically disadvantaged individuals, with priority given to the elderly, persons with disabilities, and families with children.
• How it Works:
  1. Application: Residents apply through the RPMC Wichita Falls office at (940) 723-2261.
  2. Energy Audit: A professional energy audit is conducted on the home to identify where energy is being lost.
  3. Services Provided: At no cost to the resident, trained crews will install weatherization measures. This may include general caulking, weather-stripping, adding ceiling, wall, and floor insulation, patching holes, and, most significantly, the tune-up, repair, or replacement of inefficient heating and cooling systems.

This WAP program, funded by the Department of Energy  and LIHEAP , is also the mechanism through which Oncor's Low-Income Weatherization incentives  are delivered. Residents in Oncor territory who apply through RPMC can access this blend of state, federal, and utility-sponsored home improvements.

Understanding the State-Level Programs (TDHCA)

To understand how this system works, it is helpful to know the role of the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA).

• Role: The TDHCA is the state agency that receives and administers federal funds for both the Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP)  and the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

The Most Important Rule: Do NOT Apply to TDHCA

The single most important fact for residents to understand is that the TDHCA does NOT accept applications from individuals.

The TDHCA's "Help for Texans" webpage is a directory or referral tool , not an application portal. This tool, or calling the state's toll-free number , will direct a resident to their local subrecipient.

For all of Archer County, that subrecipient is Rolling Plains Management Corporation.

Residents seeking help should follow this three-step plan:

1. Call the direct utility provider (the REP or Electric Co-op) to request a payment plan or extension.
2. Call Rolling Plains Management Corporation at (940) 723-2261 to check the status of the Utility Assistance Program (CEAP)  and the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP).
3. Call 2-1-1 for the most current list of all other available local assistance from charities and churches.

Frequently Asked Questions