Help Paying Your Heating Bill in Fort Worth — and Your Rights on Freezing Nights

The first cold snap is when a high gas or electric bill turns into a shutoff notice. Two things protect Fort Worth families this winter: real money to help pay the bill, and state rules that limit when a company can cut you off. Here is both, plainly.

The money: CEAP through the City of Fort Worth

The Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) helps low-income households in all of Tarrant County pay electric, gas, and propane bills. In Fort Worth it is run by the city’s Community Action Partners. There is no separate “winter sign-up” — applications open online on scheduled dates. In October, openings are Fridays at 9 a.m., and the last October opening is Friday, October 30. Winter opening dates were not posted yet when we published — call 817-392-2276 for the current schedule, and expect the line to be busy; keep trying early in the day.

From outside Fort Worth, the statewide CEAP line is 877-399-8939 (Mon–Fri, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.).

Have these ready: Social Security cards for everyone in the home, proof of all household income for the last 30 days, ID/citizenship documents, and your current utility bill plus 12 months of usage history (your provider can print it).

Veterans note: the same city office runs utility, rent, and mortgage assistance for Tarrant County veterans, active military, and surviving spouses.

Company programs worth asking about

• Atmos Energy — “Sharing the Warmth”: gas-bill help funded by customer and company donations, given out through local assistance agencies. In this area it generally serves households at or below 200% of the federal poverty line, once a year. Ask Community Action Partners or dial 2-1-1.
• TXU Energy Aid: bill help for TXU customers with severe financial hardship, also through local agencies — TXU itself directs people to call 2-1-1 to be connected.

Your rights on freezing nights

Texas has no fixed winter shutoff season — but the rules still protect you. Under state utility rules, an electric provider cannot disconnect you for nonpayment when the previous day’s high did not pass 32°F and the temperature is expected to stay at or below 32°F for the next 24 hours. Gas utilities follow the same rule. Two more protections:

• During an extreme weather emergency, your provider must offer you a deferred payment plan if you ask.
• If an assistance agency has pledged to pay your bill, the company cannot cut you off for that billing period.

A shutoff notice in a cold week is not the end of the story — call your provider, ask for the deferred plan by name, and call CEAP or 2-1-1 the same day.

One checker for every bill

Heating is one bill among many. Our free checker looks at help for utilities, rent, food, phone, and more — 156 local programs, about two minutes: See what you qualify for, or browse utility help programs.

Sources: City of Fort Worth Community Action Partners; Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs; Public Utility Commission of Texas rules; Atmos Energy; TXU Energy.