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Residents of Borden County, Texas, facing difficulties paying their electric bills have access to several local and state-level electric bill assistance programs.
The primary resource for direct financial aid is the Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP), which is administered locally for the county by West Texas Opportunities, Inc. This support, along with payment options from your electric cooperative and state-level consumer protections, can provide stability and help keep your lights on during challenging financial times.
For residents of Borden County, the designated local provider for state and federal utility assistance is West Texas Opportunities, Inc. (WTO).
Statewide programs, such as the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), channel federal funds to the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA). TDHCA, in turn, contracts with local non-profit organizations, known as subrecipients, to manage the application process and distribute the funds.
West Texas Opportunities, Inc. is the official subrecipient for an 18-county region that includes Borden County. Therefore, the first and most important contact for a Borden County resident seeking direct financial aid for an electric bill is WTO.
Because Borden County is a sparsely populated rural area, WTO serves the county through its "Community Services Outreach" program. The main administrative office and the nearest full-service Neighborhood Center are located in neighboring Dawson County, in Lamesa.
Programs Administered by West Texas Opportunities
West Texas Opportunities manages two key programs designed to help low-income households with their energy needs: one for immediate financial crises and one for long-term cost reduction.
CEAP: Direct Bill Payment Assistance
The primary program for bill payment assistance is the Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP). CEAP is the Texas program that integrates all funding from the federal LIHEAP.
It is designed to help low-income households manage their immediate utility costs by providing financial assistance for electricity, natural gas, and propane.
When distributing CEAP funds, WTO gives priority to households with the highest need. This includes low-income households with high energy usage, a high energy burden, or those containing:
WAP: Home Energy Efficiency
The second program is the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP). While CEAP addresses the immediate crisis of a past-due bill, WAP provides a long-term solution.
This program helps lower utility bills by making homes more energy-efficient through improvements and modifications. Residents applying for CEAP assistance should also inquire about their eligibility for the Weatherization Assistance Program at the same time to help reduce future energy costs.
How to Contact and Apply for Assistance at WTO
To apply for CEAP or inquire about WAP, Borden County residents must contact the West Texas Opportunities, Inc. main office.
The application process is formal and requires documentation to verify eligibility. While WTO will provide a specific list, CEAP/LIHEAP applications typically require the following items;
Residents should gather these documents before contacting WTO to expedite the application process.
Understanding Your Electric Provider
It is essential for Borden County residents to understand that their area is not part of the deregulated Texas energy market. Residents do not choose from Retail Electric Providers (REPs) like Gexa Energy or Reliant.
Instead, Borden County is served by two primary, non-profit electric cooperatives.
A Two-Path Approach to Assistance
As "members" of a cooperative, not "customers" of a REP, the options for assistance are different. The most effective strategy is a two-path approach:
For Big Country Electric Cooperative (BCEC) Members
Payment Plans and Options
BCEC provides several payment options to help members manage their monthly bills, though these are not direct hardship grants. These options include:
Members should contact BCEC directly to discuss these options or to request a deferred payment plan for a past-due bill.
Operation Round Up (Charitable Aid)
BCEC also sponsors a charitable program called Operation Round Up, which is funded by members who voluntarily "round up" their monthly bills to the nearest dollar.
This trust fund provides financial assistance to individuals and organizations in Borden County for needs like food, shelter, clothing, and health.
A critical clarification for members is that BCEC's Operation Round Up funds are explicitly prohibited from being used for utilities such as electric, water, or gas bills.
However, a member in financial distress could apply to Operation Round Up for assistance with other essential needs (like food or medical costs), which may in turn free up personal funds to pay the electric bill.
BCEC Contact Information
For Lyntegar Electric Cooperative Members
Lyntegar Electric Cooperative also serves portions of Borden County. Lyntegar's payment information primarily focuses on methods for paying a bill (mail, in-person, bank draft, pay-by-phone). Bills are mailed at the end of the month and are due by the 16th.
Unlike BCEC, Lyntegar does not publicly advertise specific payment plans like "Budget Billing" on its website. However, the cooperative is listed as a provider of information, referrals, and assistance.
Therefore, it is crucial for Lyntegar members to call the cooperative directly to speak with a member services representative. Members should explain their financial hardship and request a payment arrangement or an extension on their due date. Do not rely on the website for this; a direct phone call is necessary.
Lyntegar Contact Information
For residents who need to conduct business in person, both Lyntegar Electric Cooperative and West Texas Opportunities, Inc. maintain offices in Lamesa.
The state of Texas provides two primary, high-level referral systems to help residents find the correct local provider. These services do not pay bills directly but function as the central information hubs.
Using the TDHCA "Help for Texans" Portal
The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) is the state agency that receives and administers the federal CEAP/LIHEAP funds. TDHCA does not provide financial assistance directly to individuals; it funds the local subrecipient organizations.
TDHCA operates a search tool called the "Help for Texans" portal. This is the official state directory for finding assistance providers.
The process for a Borden County resident to use this tool involves three steps:
This search will provide the contact information and service details for the organization contracted to serve Borden County, which is West Texas Opportunities, Inc..
Calling 2-1-1 Texas
The simplest and most reliable method for finding help is 2-1-1 Texas. This is a free, confidential information and referral service available 24/7.
Residents can dial 2-1-1 or 877-541-7905 from any phone. A trained specialist will ask for the caller's zip code and specific needs. They maintain a real-time database of all local resources, including:
This service is especially valuable if funds at one agency (like WTO) have been exhausted, as 2-1-1 specialists are often the first to know about alternative or newly available resources from other local charities.
In severe emergencies, local charities may offer supplemental, one-time assistance. This aid is intended to "fill the gap" and is not a substitute for the larger state and federal programs.
The Salvation Army of Big Spring
The Salvation Army Big Spring Corps serves the surrounding region and may provide limited emergency financial assistance, if funds are available.
Program details for this specific location are as follows:
This resource is best used for a small, remaining balance that other programs cannot cover. Residents must contact the Big Spring office directly to inquire about the application process and current funding status.
Salvation Army Contact Information
All electric providers in Texas, including electric cooperatives, must follow consumer protection rules set by the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT). Knowing these rights is a critical tool for any resident facing a financial crisis.
Disconnection Notice Rules
An electric cooperative cannot disconnect service without providing proper advance notice.
10-Day Notice: The provider must send a written Disconnection Notice at least 10 days before the stated disconnection date. This notice must be mailed separately or, if the member agreed to electronic notices, sent as a separate email with "disconnection notice" in the subject line.
Invalid Reasons for Disconnection: A provider cannot disconnect service for:
Medical and Critical Care Exemptions
Texas law provides a powerful, temporary protection for residents with a medical necessity. A household can obtain a 63-day exemption from disconnection if a medical issue exists.
This protection applies if a resident on the premises has a critical medical condition and "will become seriously ill or more seriously ill" if electric service is disconnected.
To secure this 63-day exemption, three steps must be completed:
This 63-day window is a critical grace period. Residents can use this time to stop an immediate disconnection and then focus on completing their CEAP application with West Texas Opportunities, Inc., allowing time for that financial aid to be approved and sent to the cooperative.
Extreme Weather and Other Protections
PUCT rules provide two other key protections:
A resident who has a disconnection notice and a pending CEAP application should immediately inform their cooperative (BCEC or Lyntegar) about the application. They should then ask WTO to send an official payment pledge to their electric provider before the disconnection date. This pledge can bridge the gap between the application and the final payment.
The primary program is the Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP), which is the federal LIHEAP program for Texas. This service is administered for Borden County residents by West Texas Opportunities, Inc. (WTO), the local community action agency.
To apply, you must contact West Texas Opportunities, Inc. (WTO). They manage the application intake for CEAP. Residents can call their main office for guidance. Dialing 2-1-1 is another excellent way to get a direct referral to the correct application portal or contact person.
Eligibility for the Borden County Texas electric bill assistance program is 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.
You will typically need proof of identity (like a driver's license), proof of income for the last 30 days for all adult household members, a copy of your most recent electric bill, and Social Security cards for everyone in the home.
CEAP can provide direct financial assistance to help pay your electric bill. In a crisis, such as a disconnection, it may offer more immediate aid. The program can also sometimes help with the repair or replacement of inefficient heating or cooling units for eligible homeowners.
Yes. The Borden County Texas electric bill assistance program (CEAP) gives priority to households with residents aged 60 or older. This ensures that vulnerable populations, including seniors and those with disabilities, are served first when funds are available.
Contact West Texas Opportunities, Inc. immediately and inform them you are in a crisis situation. The CEAP program has components specifically for energy crises to prevent disconnection. You should also call 2-1-1 Texas to see if other emergency funds are available.
Yes. Besides CEAP, some utility providers offer their own programs, such as Direct Energy's "Neighbor-to-Neighbor." You can also call 2-1-1 to connect with local charities, faith-based organizations, or other non-profits in the region that may offer one-time emergency utility assistance.
Borden County residents are served by West Texas Opportunities, Inc. The office closest to Borden County is likely the Lamesa location in Dawson County. It is best to call their main number first at (806) 872-8354 for the most up-to-date application instructions.
The Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) is designed to help with all home energy costs. This includes not only your primary electric bill but also costs associated with propane, natural gas, or other energy sources used for heating and cooling your home.
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