Georgia Power Bill Help in Atlanta 2026–27: The $33.50 Discount, LIHEAP Dates, Project SHARE and Shutoff Rules
Georgia Power bills have gone up over the past few years, and a lot of Atlanta households are feeling it. The good news is that there are several kinds of help, and many people who qualify never apply. Seniors and people on SSI, SSDI or a Section 8 voucher may qualify for a monthly bill discount. Georgia's LIHEAP heating season opens December 1, 2026, with seniors served first. The Salvation Army's Project SHARE can cover an emergency. And Georgia's shutoff rules give some protection on freezing days and during heat advisories.
This guide explains each option, who qualifies, what to bring and the order to try them in, especially if you already have a disconnection notice.
Last checked October 2026. Sources: Georgia Power's Income-Qualified Discount and Customer Relief pages; Fulton Atlanta Community Action Authority's LIHEAP page; the Georgia Division of Family & Children Services draft LIHEAP state plan for federal fiscal year 2027; the Salvation Army's Project SHARE page; and the Georgia Public Service Commission's electric disconnection page. The LIHEAP figures come from a draft state plan, so confirm them with your local agency.
The Short Version
Bill discount: Georgia Power says qualifying customers may get $33.50 a month off. You qualify if you're 65 or older with household income at or below 200% of poverty, or if you receive SSI, SSDI or a HUD Section 8 voucher.
LIHEAP heating: the state's draft plan runs heating and crisis help from December 1, 2026. Adults 65 and older and the medically homebound get the first 30 days. The draft plan lists heating benefits of $400 to $810.
Fulton County and the City of Atlanta LIHEAP: Fulton Atlanta Community Action Authority (FACAA), 470-437-4621, by appointment. FACAA says to check back on December 1 for the heating start date for seniors.
Project SHARE: emergency help from the Salvation Army, up to $500 in any 12 months, by appointment at your county's partner agency.
Winter rule: from November 15 to March 15, Georgia Power can't shut off electricity if the forecast is below 32°F for 24 hours starting at 8 a.m. on the shutoff date. You have to agree in writing to a repayment plan.
Summer rule: no shutoff if a Heat Advisory or Excessive Heat Warning is in effect or forecast for your county.
Free upgrades: Georgia Power's EASE programs provide no-cost insulation, smart thermostats and other energy improvements for eligible customers.
The Income-Qualified Discount
Georgia Power's Income-Qualified Discount page says eligible customers may qualify for a $33.50/month discount on their energy bill. Over a year, that's about $400.
Who Qualifies
You need to meet at least one of these:
You're 65 or older and your household meets the income limit below
You receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
You receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
You take part in the federal Housing Choice Voucher Program (HUD Section 8)
Income limit for seniors (200% of the 2026 federal poverty guidelines):
| Household size | Annual income | Monthly income | |---|---|---| | 1 | $31,920 | $2,660 | | 2 | $43,280 | $3,607 | | 3 | $54,640 | $4,554 | | 4 | $66,000 | $5,500 | | 5 | $77,360 | $6,447 | | 6 | $88,720 | $7,394 |
Georgia Power's pages list two different amounts to add for each person beyond the table: $11,360 on the discount page and $11,000 on its main assistance page. If your household is larger, confirm the limit with Georgia Power.
What the Discount Covers
The discount applies only to the metered electric service and fuel cost recovery parts of your bill. It doesn't reduce sales taxes or other charges. It's available on most residential rate plans, including Residential Service, FlatBill, the Time of Use plans, Pre-pay Service and Pay By Day.
How to Apply
Start on Georgia Power's Income-Qualified Discount page, which asks for your household size and income. First check your bill or online account: if it already says "Income Qualified Discount," you're enrolled.
Georgia Power says you may be asked to prove income with documents such as a Social Security, disability or pension letter, an unemployment statement, a food stamp (SNAP) award letter, pay stubs, or a "no income affidavit."
LIHEAP: Help With Heating Bills
The federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program is run in Georgia by the Division of Family & Children Services through local community action agencies.
2026–27 Dates (Draft State Plan)
According to Georgia's draft LIHEAP plan for federal fiscal year 2027:
Heating and crisis help runs from December 1, 2026, through July 31, 2027, while funds last.
Households with adults 65 and older, and medically homebound households, are served during the first 30 days.
Heating benefits range from $400 to $810.
Winter crisis help can be up to $810.
Once the senior period ends, the program opens to other eligible households if money remains. Funding often runs out, so apply as early as you're allowed.
Fulton County and the City of Atlanta: FACAA
Fulton Atlanta Community Action Authority handles LIHEAP for Fulton County and the City of Atlanta. All services are by appointment.
Phone: 470-437-4621, or schedule online through facaa.org
Hours: 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., closed 1 to 2 p.m. for lunch
Heating start: FACAA says the start date is to be determined and to check back on December 1, 2026 for when heating help begins for seniors 65 and older.
FACAA's income limits:
| Household size | Annual income | |---|---| | 1 | $34,549 | | 2 | $45,179 | | 3 | $55,810 | | 4 | $66,441 | | 5 | $77,071 | | 6 | $87,702 | | 7 | $89,695 | | 8 | $91,688 | | 9 or more | add $1,906 per person |
Bring printed copies of these. FACAA says documents on your phone won't be accepted:
Your current gas and electric bills, showing your name, full address, account number and amount due
Proof of income for the last 30 days for everyone in the household over 18. Anyone with no income fills out a zero-income form at the appointment
Social Security cards for everyone in the household
A valid photo ID
If someone applies on your behalf, they need a copy of their own state ID and a signed letter from you giving them permission.
LIHEAP Crisis Help in Fulton County
FACAA says it serves only the first 10 walk-ins, Monday through Thursday, starting at 9 a.m., for crisis cases. To qualify, you need to:
Have a disconnection notice, face shutoff within the next 7 days, or already have your service shut off
Meet the basic eligibility rules
Some limits apply. FACAA can't help with accounts that are final or written off, and your past-due amount can't be more than the benefit you qualify for. Arrive early with all documents printed.
DeKalb County residents: Georgia Power's agency list names Partnership for Community Action in Clarkston (404-929-2500) as the community action agency serving DeKalb. Clayton County residents can contact Clayton County Community Services Authority (404-363-0575).
Project SHARE: Emergency Help From the Salvation Army
Project SHARE has been around since 1985. Georgia Power and most of the state's other utilities take part, and the Salvation Army says it helps more than 40,000 Georgians a year.
How it works:
You apply by appointment at the SHARE partner agency in your county. Call that office directly.
Bring proof of identity and proof of residence.
A local case manager decides based on what caused the crisis, the funds available and what it will take to fix it.
All four must be true for you to qualify:
You're facing a crisis that threatens your utility service, housing, health, safety or stability.
You rarely need outside help with a serious financial crisis.
The help will give you meaningful, long-term relief.
You're making a reasonable contribution yourself.
Limits: no more than $500 in a 12-month period. SHARE won't pay deposits, and the money goes directly to the utility, not to you.
Georgia's Shutoff Rules
The Georgia Public Service Commission's rules give you more protection than many people realize.
Timeline:
You get at least 21 days after your meter is read to pay.
Residential electric service can be disconnected once a bill is unpaid 45 days from the statement date.
The utility has to deliver a written disconnection notice at least 5 days before shutoff. It must list the earliest shutoff date, the amount due and a phone number to call.
At least 2 days before shutoff, the utility must make a good-faith effort to contact you personally, if it hasn't already.
Shutoffs can happen only on a business day when the utility can take your payment.
Cold weather (November 15 to March 15): Georgia Power can't shut off your electricity if the local forecast is below 32°F for the 24 hours starting at 8 a.m. on the scheduled date. To use this protection, you have to agree in writing to pay the past-due balance in equal installments starting after March 15 and ending before October 15, and to pay new bills on time.
Heat: no shutoff if, before 8 a.m. on the scheduled date, a National Weather Service Heat Advisory or Excessive Heat Warning is in effect or forecast for your county.
Serious illness: service can't be cut off if someone in the home has a serious illness that disconnection would make worse. You must tell Georgia Power in writing. If you call first, follow up in writing within 10 days. Then, within 10 days of that notice, Georgia Power must receive a written statement from a doctor, hospital, clinic or county board of health naming the illness, how long it's expected to last and confirming that a shutoff would make it worse.
Disputes: if you think you were disconnected in error, contact Georgia Power first. If that doesn't fix it, ask the PSC to investigate within 10 days of receiving the disputed bill: 800-282-5813 or 404-656-4501.
Free Energy Upgrades: EASE
Georgia Power's EASE programs offer free energy improvements:
EASE: attic insulation, smart thermostats and more for income-eligible customers. Georgia Power's page lists an income limit of 300% of poverty for EASE, which is $47,880 for one person or $99,000 for four.
EASE for Seniors: free weatherization for homeowners 60 and older who live in the home and meet the income limit.
EASE Prefab: smart thermostats, low-flow showerheads and other upgrades for manufactured and mobile homes.
Georgia Power also offers a free in-home energy walkthrough through Utility Energy Services: 877-310-5607, option 3, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET on weekdays. Spots are limited, and you may not qualify if you had one in the last 12 months.
If You Have a Shutoff Notice Now
Check the date on the notice, and check the forecast. Freezing temperatures or a heat advisory may delay a shutoff.
Call Georgia Power at the number on your bill and ask for a payment arrangement. If it's cold, ask for the winter protection plan in writing.
Call your county's Project SHARE partner agency for an appointment.
From December 1, if you're 65 or older or homebound, apply for LIHEAP. In Fulton County, crisis walk-ins start at 9 a.m., Monday through Thursday.
If someone at home is seriously ill, notify Georgia Power in writing and get the medical statement in within 10 days.
Once you're stable, apply for the $33.50 monthly discount if you qualify, and look into EASE to lower future bills.
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