To qualify for assistance, an applicant’s household income must be at or below 150% of the federal poverty level. For a single-person household, an annual income of $20,385 is 150% of the federal poverty level, according to guidelines set each year by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. For each additional household member, the poverty guideline increases by $7,080.
Additionally, at least one member of the household must be a U.S. citizen or a qualified alien. Under federal law, qualified aliens are noncitizens admitted to the U.S. for asylum or as refugees.
The application opened Nov. 4, according to a news release.
The program, which is offered by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, was launched in July. According to the release, the original application period ended after one week, due to high demand and limited funds.
Low-income households may receive up to $2,400 in payments for electricity, natural gas and propane bills. Up to $600 is available for households requesting assistance with water and wastewater bills. Those who have had their water disconnected or are at risk of disconnection are prioritized for water assistance, according to the program site.
Payments will go directly to the utility company, the release said.
Interested households can apply online. Documents, such as an identification card, proof of citizenship or legal residency, a recent utility bill, and income documentation, may be required to apply, according to the website.
Assistance is available for homeowners and renters, according to the release.
Texas Utility Help has assisted over 7,400 households with over $15 million in payments, according to the release. Program funding comes from the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program and Low Income Household Water Assistance Program.
