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When people fall behind on a power or gas bill, they usually think of LIHEAP first. But many large utilities also run their own hardship funds. The money comes from customer donations, employees and the company itself, and local charities such as The Salvation Army or community action agencies hand it out. These funds often have looser income rules than government programs, and some move faster. Many open or refill in the fall, right when heating bills and holiday costs land

Behind on a Con Edison or National Grid bill as the weather turns cold? New York City has more ways to cut that bill than most people realize. One of the biggest is a newer income-based discount that reaches households earning close to the area median. On top of that, state law gives you strong shutoff protections from November 1 to April 15. This guide covers who to call, what each program is worth, and the key dates for the 2026–27 heating season. First: Know Who Sends Each

Seattle winters are long, dark and damp, so electric and gas bills tend to climb just as the holidays squeeze budgets. If you're behind, there's real money on the table this season. Seattle City Light, Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) and Puget Sound Energy (PSE) each run their own hardship programs, and Washington law gives low-income households a winter shutoff shield from November 15 to March 15. This guide covers who to call, what each program pays, and how to keep your hea

Winter in Dallas brings three bills that can all spike at once: electricity, Atmos gas and city water. The good news is that each one has its own hardship money, much of it from the utilities and their customers rather than the government. Those funds often have looser rules than the big state program. This guide breaks down who to call for each bill, what each program pays, and how to keep your service on while you wait. First: Know Who Sends Each Bill Electricity: Your reta

A Houston freeze can do two kinds of damage. There are burst pipes, and then there's the electric bill that shows up a month later. If you're behind on electricity or gas this winter, Texas rules give you more protection than most people realize, and Houston has utility-funded hardship programs that don't go through the usual government lines. This guide covers when your retail electric provider (Reliant, TXU or any other) cannot disconnect you, what to do once a disconnectio

If Duke Energy has shut off your gas or electric, or you have a disconnection notice on the counter, Ohio's winter rules give you a real way out this season. From October 12, 2026 through April 16, 2027, the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio's Special Reconnect Order (still widely called the "Winter Reconnect Order") lets you keep or restore service by paying no more than $175, even if you owe far more. This guide explains exactly how the $175 rule works for Cincinnati and

If you just got a Notice to Vacate or a citation in Dallas County, you need two things at once: legal advice and a plan for the rent. Our North Texas eviction timeline guide covers court deadlines. This page is the money checklist for the same week—who to call for rent, food, and bills while you deal with the papers. Day 1 Checklist Read every page of the notice or citation. Write down the hearing date if one is listed. Call free legal help the same day. Start with Dallas Evi

If you just applied for SNAP in New York City, or you are about to, you still need dinner tonight. HRA can take up to 30 days for a regular decision. Some households get expedited SNAP within 7 days, but even that is not same-day food. This guide is the bridge: where to get groceries or a hot meal today, how to push for expedited processing, and when to use our full New York SNAP eligibility guide to finish the application the right way. Get Food Today (Before the EBT Card Ar