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Facing financial hardship and worrying about an overdue light bill is an incredibly stressful experience. For residents searching for a DeWitt county texas electric bill assistance program, it can be difficult to know where to start. Help is available, but the right path often depends on your specific electric provider and your household situation.
There are multiple avenues for support, including federally-funded state programs, local community action agencies, and special payment options offered directly by DeWitt County's utility companies. These resources are designed to help low-income households, seniors, and families with young children meet their immediate energy needs, prevent disconnection, and find stability.
For the majority of residents in DeWitt County, the most important resource is the Community Action Committee of Victoria (CACV), which also operates as Crossroads Community Action. This organization is the designated local "subrecipient" for the area. This means it is the official agency responsible for managing and processing applications for major state and federal utility assistance programs on behalf of residents in DeWitt, Victoria, Aransas, Calhoun, Goliad, Gonzales, Jackson, Lavaca, and Refugio counties.
Instead of navigating complex state-level websites, your first and most effective step is to contact this local office directly. Their staff are trained to assess your specific situation, determine which programs you qualify for, and guide you through the application process.
Contact Information
Here is the direct contact information for the agency that serves DeWitt County:
This office is your entry point for the primary government relief programs, such as the Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP).
The main DeWitt county texas electric bill assistance program administered by the Community Action Committee of Victoria is the Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP). CEAP is the Texas-level program funded by the federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
The purpose of CEAP is twofold: first, to assist low-income households in meeting their immediate energy needs and preventing disconnection. Second, it aims to help families and individuals control their energy costs for the long term through services like energy education and budget counseling.
This is not just a one-time payment. It is a holistic program that may also provide services such as needs assessment, budget counseling related to energy bills, and in some crisis situations, the repair of heating or cooling units or the purchase of portable units. The goal is to move households toward greater financial stability and self-sufficiency.
To apply for CEAP, you must contact the Community Action Committee of Victoria, as they manage the application intake, eligibility determination, and distribution of these funds for DeWitt County residents.
Eligibility for CEAP is primarily based on your household's income and specific needs. The program is designed to serve the most vulnerable members of the community.
Income Requirements
To receive utility assistance through CEAP, your household's gross yearly income must be at or below 150% of the current U.S. Federal Poverty Guidelines.
The income limits are based on the number of people living in your home. While these figures are updated periodically by the federal government, the 150% guideline typically means the following annual income levels:
For larger households, the income limit increases for each additional person. The application agency will count the gross income (before taxes) from all household members for the 30-day period before you apply to determine eligibility.
Priority Groups
Funding for these programs can be limited. Because of this, CEAP assigns priority to households that are considered "vulnerable".
Even if you meet the income requirements, these households are typically assisted first, especially during periods of high demand or extreme weather.
Priority is given to households with:
Households facing an immediate energy crisis, such as a disconnection notice from their utility provider, are also given high priority. It is very important to let the agency know if you have received a disconnect notice.
When you contact the Community Action Committee of Victoria, the application process can be lengthy, sometimes taking time to process. To make the process as smooth as possible, you should gather all required documentation beforehand.
Incomplete applications will not be processed, so it is critical to have all your paperwork in order. You will likely need the following items for every person living in your household:
Having these documents ready when you apply can significantly speed up the review process.
You may find references online to the statewide portal, TexasUtilityHelp.com. It is important to know that this program is no longer accepting applications.
This statewide portal was a temporary program funded by federal LIHEAP and LIHWAP allocations to handle the high volume of need. Those funds have been exhausted, and the portal is closed.
This does not mean that utility assistance is gone. The regular federal LIHEAP funds (which power the CEAP program) continue to be available. The correct way to access these funds is now, as it was before the temporary portal existed, through the state's network of local subrecipient organizations.
For DeWitt County, this remains the Community Action Committee of Victoria.
If you are unsure who serves your county or need to find help for someone in a different part of Texas, you can use the official "Help for Texans" search tool on the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) website: https://www.tdhca.texas.gov/help-for-texans.
You can also dial 2-1-1 for a direct referral.
The path to assistance in DeWitt County can also depend on which company provides your electricity. The county is served by a mix of electric cooperatives, a municipal utility, and a deregulated delivery company. Your options may differ based on your provider.
For Guadalupe Valley Electric Cooperative (GVEC) Customers
GVEC is a major electric cooperative serving DeWitt County, including areas in and around Cuero. GVEC offers a specific charitable program for its members called Power Up.
This program is funded by the generosity of other GVEC members who voluntarily "round up" their monthly electric bills to the next dollar. The extra pennies are collected and placed into a fund.
While most of these funds go to community grants, fifteen percent of all Power Up donations are set aside for bill-pay assistance to help low-income and elderly GVEC members.
Here is the critical step for GVEC members: To apply for this Power Up bill-pay assistance, GVEC directly refers its members to the same local agency: the Community Action Committee of Victoria.
This simplifies your journey. When you call CACV at 361-578-2989 , you should mention that you are a GVEC member. This allows the agency to screen you for both the state/federal CEAP program and GVEC's own Power Up assistance fund at the same time.
For general questions about your bill or service, you can also contact the GVEC Cuero office at 361-275-2334.
For Karnes Electric Cooperative (KEC) Customers
Karnes Electric Cooperative (KEC) also serves parts of DeWitt County. KEC provides clear, direct instructions for members who are struggling to pay their bill.
Your first step as a KEC member is to call a Member Service Representative at 1-888-807-3952.
You should call this number to discuss your situation, make payment arrangements, and find out what your options are. KEC's service territory spans multiple counties, and they partner with different local assistance agencies.
By calling KEC directly, their representative can look at your specific service address and give you a definitive referral to the correct community action agency for your location, whether that is CACV or another group like the Community Council of South Central Texas (CCSCT).
Do not guess which agency to call. Start by calling KEC at 1-888-807-3952 to prevent delays and get the right information for your specific address.
For City of Cuero Utility Customers
If you live within the city limits of Cuero, your electricity is likely provided by the City of Cuero Electric Department, which is a municipally-owned utility. This means you have different, more direct options available.
The City of Cuero offers in-house programs to help residents avoid disconnection. You should contact the Utility Customer Service department immediately to ask about these options.
The city also provides specific forms for vulnerable residents, including an "Elderly Penalty Delay Request" and a "City of Cuero Critical Care Application" for households that require electricity for medical equipment.
Your action plan as a City of Cuero customer is twofold:
For AEP Texas Customers
This is a critical distinction for many DeWitt County residents. AEP Texas is an energy delivery company (also called a Transmission and Distribution Service Provider, or TDSP), not a Retail Electric Provider (REP).
AEP owns and maintains the poles, wires, and meters in its service area , which includes over 2,100 customers in DeWitt County.
However, AEP Texas does not bill you, handle payments, or process disconnections.
If you are in AEP's service territory, you are in a deregulated area. This means you chose your Retail Electric Provider (REP)—the company that sends you your monthly bill (such as Reliant, TXU Energy, 4Change Energy, BKV Energy, etc.).
You must contact your REP for all billing issues, including payment arrangements.
After contacting your REP for a payment plan, you should also call the Community Action Committee of Victoria (361-578-2989) to apply for CEAP, which can provide funds to help pay the bills from your REP.
If you do not qualify for CEAP, are waiting for your application to be processed, or need help beyond what these programs can offer, there is a local safety net of charitable organizations.
2-1-1 Texas: Your First Call for Referrals
The single most valuable resource for finding emergency help is 2-1-1 Texas. This is a free, confidential, 24/7 information and referral service operated by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.
When you call, you are connected to a specialist who has access to a comprehensive database of local services in DeWitt County. They often have the most up-to-date information on which small, local charities or churches have received new grants or have funds available right now for utility assistance.
https://www.211texas.org.The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army is a well-known national organization with a strong local presence, dedicated to providing emergency assistance to prevent homelessness. This often includes offering financial aid for past-due rent and utility bills. Their programs are designed to help families and individuals weather a financial crisis. You should contact the local Salvation Army unit serving DeWitt County to discuss your needs and see what resources are currently available.
Local Churches and Ministerial Alliances
Local, faith-based organizations are a cornerstone of the community safety net in DeWitt County.
The primary resource is the Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP), administered locally by the Community Action Committee of Victoria, Texas (CACVT). This federally funded program helps low-income households in DeWitt County pay their immediate electric bills and offers energy education to reduce future costs.
You can apply directly through the CACVT. For DeWitt County residents, there is a local office often referred to as Neighborhood Service, located at 118 W. Main Street, Cuero, TX 77954. You can also contact their main office at (361) 578-2989 to request an application or schedule an appointment.
To qualify for CEAP and most local utility aid, your household income must not exceed 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. For example, as of 2025, a family of four must earn less than approximately $46,800 annually. These limits are subject to change, so always verify with the intake caseworker.
Yes, the Salvation Army often provides emergency financial assistance for utilities when funds are available. While there isn't a large dedicated center in Cuero, they often coordinate through local partners or the Service Extension Unit. Residents should contact 2-1-1 Texas or the regional Salvation Army office to find the nearest active representative for DeWitt County.
Yes, CEAP has a Crisis Component specifically for households that have already lost power or received a disconnection notice. When applying, clearly state that you have a "disconnect notice" to potentially expedite your application. You must provide the disconnection notice along with your standard application documents.
Standard required documentation includes:
Photo ID for the primary applicant (Driver’s License or State ID).
Proof of income for all household members over 18 (past 30 days of pay stubs, SSDI letters, etc.).
Current electric bill showing your name, service address, and account number.
Social Security cards for all household members.
Yes. Funding is limited, so the program prioritizes vulnerable households. This includes residents who are elderly (60+), disabled, or families with children aged 5 and under. Households with high energy burdens (spending a large percentage of income on energy) are also given priority processing.
CAMAL House primarily focuses on food insecurity but is a vital local resource hub. While they may not directly pay large electric bills, they can often provide referrals to smaller local charities, church ministerial alliances, or one-time emergency funds in Cuero, Yorktown, and Yoakum.
CEAP assistance is typically limited to once per program year (usually January to December). However, if you are facing a life-threatening energy crisis or extreme weather event, you may be eligible for additional emergency aid. Always ask your caseworker about "crisis assistance" limits if you remain in financial distress.
While CEAP prioritizes these groups, Lite-Up Texas (if active) and Texas Utility Help are additional statewide options. Furthermore, disabled veterans should contact the DeWitt County Veterans Service Officer in Cuero, as they may have access to distinct emergency relief funds unavailable to the general public.
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