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Residents of Delta County, Texas, facing high energy costs or disconnection notices can access several local and state options for electric bill assistance. The primary resource for financial aid is the Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP), administered locally by Community Services of Northeast Texas, Inc. (CSNT). Additional support, including emergency payments and payment arrangements, may be available from local charities in Cooper and directly from your electric cooperative. These programs are designed to provide financial relief and help stabilize household energy costs for low-income families, seniors, and residents with disabilities.
For residents of Delta County, the most critical piece of information for securing utility assistance is identifying the correct local agency. Federal and state programs, including the well-known Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), are not managed directly by the federal government or the State of Texas. Instead, the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) distributes these funds to designated local provider organizations, also known as "subrecipients," which manage the application and distribution process for specific counties.
The single, official subrecipient and administrator for all 12 counties in the Northeast Texas region, which explicitly includes Delta County, is Community Services of Northeast Texas, Inc. (CSNT). This organization is the central "funnel" for the most significant government-funded assistance. Any Delta County resident seeking help from CEAP or LIHEAP must go through CSNT. This fact is further confirmed by local electric providers, such as Farmers Electric Cooperative and Lamar County Electric Cooperative , which both refer their members in Delta County directly to CSNT for financial assistance.
Programs Administered by CSNT
CSNT manages federal and state funds to provide a support structure for low-income households. The two primary programs relevant to utility assistance are CEAP and CSBG.
How to Apply for Assistance at CSNT
The application process is formal and requires specific documentation. All individuals seeking assistance must first complete an "Application for Assistance".
Step 1: Obtain the Application Form The application is available as a PDF document that can be downloaded from the Community Services of Northeast Texas, Inc. website. The official website for CSNT is: https://www.csntexas.org/. The application form will require detailed information about every member of the household, all income sources, and the nature of the utility crisis.
Step 2: Complete the Application and Gather Documents The single most common reason for delays or denial is an incomplete application. It is essential to fill out the application completely and attach copies of all required documents (see the detailed document checklist in the next section). The agency has stated that if an application is incomplete, it will only make one attempt to contact the household for the missing documents.
Step 3: Submit the Application Delta County residents can submit their completed application packet in several ways:
CSNT Contact Information
For questions about the application or to check on the status of a submitted application, residents can contact the agency directly.
The Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) is the primary state-level program for utility assistance in Texas. It is not a new program but rather the state's method of integrating all federally funded LIHEAP programs to enhance efficiency and prevent duplication of services. It is designed to assist low-income households in meeting their immediate energy needs.
It is important to understand that CEAP is not a first-come, first-served entitlement. The program is specifically structured to assist households that have the highest home energy needs. This takes into account both the household's "energy burden" (the percentage of their income spent on utilities) and the presence of vulnerable individuals.
Priority for assistance is given to households containing:
Households that fall into one of these priority groups are more likely to receive assistance, especially when funds are limited.
To qualify for CEAP and related programs through CSNT, all applicants must meet specific, non-negotiable eligibility criteria based on income, residency, and citizenship. Preparing all documents in advance is the most effective way to ensure a smooth application process.
Income Guidelines
To be eligible, a household's total gross income (income before taxes) must be at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines.
These income limits are updated annually by the federal government. A critical detail is that eligibility is not based on last year's tax return. Instead, it is based on the household's income received for the past 30 days immediately preceding the date of the application. This allows individuals who have recently lost a job or experienced a drop in income to qualify, even if their income from the previous year was higher.
Required Document Checklist (The "Document Stack")
An incomplete application will be rejected. Before submitting the CSNT application form, applicants must gather a complete "Document Stack" with copies of the following items.
1. Proof of Identification A current, valid, government-issued photo ID is required for all household members who are 18 years of age or older. This can include a state-issued Driver's License or ID card, a U.S. Passport, or a Military ID.
2. Proof of Citizenship or Legal Residency Because these programs are federally funded, applicants must provide proof of U.S. citizenship or qualified legal residency for every member of the household, including children. Valid documents include:
3. Social Security Cards A copy of the Social Security card is required for every household member, regardless of age.
4. Proof of Income Applicants must document all sources of gross income for all household members (18 and older) for the 30-day period right before the application date. This includes, but is not limited to:
5. Utility Bill and Disconnection Notice A copy of the current utility bill is required. If the household is facing a shut-off, the disconnection notice is the most critical document to include. Some programs also require a 12-month billing history from the electric company, which a resident can request from their provider.
6. Declaration of No Income If any adult household member (18 years or older) has zero income, they cannot simply be left off the application. That individual must fill out and sign a specific "Declaration of Income State Form" or "DIS Form" certifying that they had no income in the past 30 days.
While CEAP provides immediate financial relief for past-due bills, the state and federal government also offer a program designed to lower energy bills permanently. The Low-Income Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) helps by making homes more energy efficient.
In Delta County, the transmission and distribution utility (TDU) is Oncor. Oncor administers its own Low-Income Weatherization Program for qualifying customers in its service territory.
This program is not a cash grant or a bill payment service. Instead, Oncor provides incentives to participating contractors who perform energy-saving home improvements at little to no cost for the resident. These improvements can include:
To qualify for Oncor's weatherization program, a household must have Oncor as its electric delivery provider and have an annual household income at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines. This income limit is higher than the 150% limit for CEAP, meaning some families who do not qualify for bill payment assistance may still qualify for weatherization.
How to Apply for WAP
The application process for weatherization is entirely separate from CEAP.
These programs run on an annual funding cycle, typically from February to November, and funds can be exhausted. It is important to check the Oncor website for the current program status.
For residents in Cooper and the surrounding area facing an immediate crisis, such as a same-day disconnection, local charities may be able to provide faster, more direct emergency aid.
Cooper Methodist Church and The Salvation Army
While The Salvation Army is a national organization, its assistance is administered at a hyper-local level through service units. In Delta County, this service unit is managed through a direct partnership.
The Cooper Methodist Church acts as the official Salvation Army representative for Cooper. The church maintains limited funds specifically for providing emergency rent and utility assistance to qualified households.
Because these funds are for emergencies, the documentation requirements are extremely strict and focus on proving a verifiable, short-term crisis.
How to Apply for Salvation Army Funds
Individuals seeking this emergency aid must contact the church directly and be prepared to provide extensive documentation.
Required Documentation for Emergency Aid To apply for assistance from these funds, an individual must provide all of the following seven items:
This assistance is designed to be a one-time bridge for a specific emergency, not an ongoing subsidy.
Delta Hope House
The Delta Hope House is another crucial community resource in Cooper. While its primary mission is to serve as a food pantry , it is deeply integrated with the needs of residents facing financial hardship.
A family struggling to pay an electric bill is often also facing food insecurity. Delta Hope House provides once-monthly grocery pick-ups and a Commodity Supplemental Food Program for seniors aged 60 and over.
Critically, the electric bill itself is a key to accessing these other services. To qualify for food assistance from Delta Hope House, the first requirement is providing proof of residence in Delta County, which must be the current electric bill with the client's name and address on it. This demonstrates how a single utility bill is essential for accessing the full spectrum of local aid.
Before a bill becomes a crisis, the first and most important call a resident should make is directly to their electric company. Delta County is served by member-owned electric cooperatives, not large, investor-owned utilities. This cooperative model often provides more flexibility for members experiencing financial hardship. The two primary cooperatives serving Delta County are Farmers Electric and Lamar County Electric.
Contact Your Electric Cooperative First
Residents should not wait for a disconnection notice. As soon as it becomes clear that paying a bill on time will be difficult, contact the provider's member services department.
Farmers Electric Cooperative (FEC)
Farmers Electric Cooperative (FEC) explicitly encourages members to reach out for help.
Lamar County Electric Cooperative
Lamar County Electric Cooperative also serves parts of Delta County and follows a similar model of referring members to local assistance agencies.
The consistent referrals from both major electric providers back to CSNT and The Salvation Army confirm that these are the two primary and correct channels for assistance in Delta County.
If a resident is still unsure where to begin or if their situation is complex, statewide referral services can help navigate the system.
2-1-1 Texas
This is a free, confidential, 24/7 information and referral service operated by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. By calling 2-1-1, residents can speak with a specialist who has access to the most comprehensive database of local resources for utility assistance, food, housing, and other needs.
TDHCA Help for Texans
This is the official online database of local providers funded by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA). This tool is the official replacement for previous state-run application portals.
When searching for assistance, residents may find outdated information pointing to programs that are no longer active. Wasting time applying for a defunct program can be disastrous during a utility crisis.
Status of the LITE-UP Discount Program
The LITE-UP Texas Discount Program is no longer active.
Many older websites still reference this program, which once offered a discount on electric bills during the summer months. However, the LITE-UP fund was depleted, and all discounts through this program ended permanently on August 31, 2016. Any website, application form , or phone number referencing the LITE-UP program is using information that is more than a decade out of date.
Status of the Texas Utility Help Website
The online application portal texasutilityhelp.com is CLOSED and is no longer accepting applications.
This website was created by the TDHCA to distribute emergency funds during the COVID-19 pandemic. That program has ended, and the portal is shut down.
The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) now officially directs all individuals to use the "Help for Texans" portal (https://www.tdhca.texas.gov/help-for-texans) to find their local, county-level provider. For Delta County, this process confirms that Community Services of Northeast Texas (CSNT) is the correct and current channel for all state and federal utility assistance.
The main resource for residents is the Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP), managed locally by Community Services of Northeast Texas (CSNT). This federally funded program assists low-income households with utility payments to prevent service disruptions. It prioritizes elderly individuals, residents with disabilities, and families with children under the age of six.
You must complete an application with Community Services of Northeast Texas. Delta County residents typically need to mail their completed forms and documentation to the CSNT office in Linden, Texas (P.O. Box 427). While there isn't a permanent walk-in office in Cooper, you can contact CSNT directly at (903) 756-5596 to request an application packet or check for upcoming local outreach events.
Eligibility is based on household income not exceeding 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. For the 2025 program year, the maximum annual income limits are approximately:
1 Person: $23,475
2 People: $31,725
3 People: $39,975
4 People: $48,225
5 People: $56,475
Farmers Electric Cooperative (FEC), which serves many rural residents in Delta County, does not have an internal fund for direct bill payment. Instead, they officially refer members facing financial hardship to Community Services of Northeast Texas. However, FEC may offer payment extensions or deferred payment plans if you contact Member Care at (903) 455-1715 before your disconnection date.
To process your application, agencies like CSNT require specific documentation for every household member. You must be prepared to submit:
Proof of citizenship or legal residency (e.g., birth certificate, U.S. passport).
Valid government-issued photo ID for the applicant.
Proof of income for the past 30 days for all adults (check stubs, award letters).
Your most recent electric bill showing your name and address.
Yes, the Delta Hope House in Cooper, Texas, is a key local resource. They accept applications for assistance on specific days, typically Thursday mornings. You must bring proof of residence in Delta County, such as a current electric bill, and proof of income. Contact them at (903) 300-3303 to confirm their current intake hours and available funds before visiting.
The CEAP program has a "Crisis Assistance" component designed specifically for households that have received a disconnect notice or have already lost power. When applying, clearly mark your application as a crisis situation. Additionally, you should immediately call your provider, such as Farmers Electric or your Retail Electric Provider, to inform them you are seeking assistance, which may temporarily delay the disconnect.
Yes, eligible low-income residents can apply for the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP). This program is separate from monthly bill payment aid and provides free home audits and improvements, such as sealing drafts, adding insulation, or repairing HVAC systems. This service is also administered regionally; you can inquire about it through the same CSNT contacts used for CEAP.
While there is no separate "senior-only" fund, households with members who are elderly (60+) or disabled receive priority processing for CEAP funds. Furthermore, the "Lite-Up Texas" discount program helps qualified low-income customers reduce their monthly electric rates. You can also ask your provider about "Critical Care" status if a household member relies on electrically operated life-support equipment.
Standard utility assistance is generally limited to once per program year (calendar year), specifically for the months where your energy burden is highest (heating or cooling). However, if you qualify for the crisis component due to extreme weather or life-threatening conditions, additional support may be authorized depending on the available funding at Community Services of Northeast Texas.
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