Dallas Winter Bill Help 2026–27: TXU Energy Aid, Atmos Gas Help and Water Bill Programs
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 retail electric provider (TXU, Reliant, Direct Energy, Green Mountain and others) bills you and decides whether to request a disconnection. Oncor owns the wires in most of Dallas and does the physical shutoff, but it doesn't set your payment plan.
Natural gas: Atmos Energy bills you directly.
Water: Dallas Water Utilities (DWU) bills City of Dallas customers.
Always ask the company on the bill for a payment extension or installment plan before the due date. Atmos says it doesn't charge a fee for installment plans. You can set one up in your Atmos Account Center under the Payment Assistance tab, or by calling 888-286-6700.
Your Shutoff Protections in a Freeze
Texas rules block electric and gas disconnections for nonpayment on extreme weather emergency days. That's when the previous day's high didn't go above 32°F and freezing temperatures are forecast for the next 24 hours in your county. Electric providers must also offer a deferred payment plan for bills that come due during the emergency. Gas utilities must defer full payment and set up a payment schedule.
Two more protections matter in Dallas:
An agency pledge stops the clock. If an energy assistance agency tells your electric provider it's paying enough to keep you on, you can't be disconnected for that billing period. The provider must give the agency at least 45 days to pay. Atmos has the same rule for written pledges.
Electric disconnection notices need at least 10 days. The notice must be a separate mailing, hand delivery or email clearly labeled as a disconnection notice.
For the full list, including medical protections, see our Houston winter shutoff rules guide. The same Texas rules apply in Dallas.
Electricity: Provider-Funded Help
TXU Energy Aid
TXU Energy Aid is funded by donations from customers, employees and other Texans. TXU says it helps about 20,000 families a year and has given more than $140 million over 40 years. To apply, call 2-1-1, visit 211texas.org or email energyaid@txu.com. Combat-injured veterans who can't regulate their body temperature can call TXU at 800-242-9113 about a separate program.
Reliant and other NRG brands
Catholic Charities Dallas runs utility help for customers of NRG companies: Reliant, Direct Energy, Stream, Discount Power, Xoom Energy, Green Mountain Energy and Cirro Energy. The name on the bill must match yours, or you must be an authorized user. The cap is $600 per calendar year. Catholic Charities Dallas helpline: 866-223-7500 (Central Service Center, 1421 W. Mockingbird Lane, weekdays 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.).
Reliant's own CARE program also funds these Dallas-area agencies:
Dallas County Health & Human Services: (214) 819-1848
Salvation Army North Texas (Dallas): (214) 424-7050
Network of Community Ministries (Richardson): (972) 234-8880
St. Vincent de Paul North Dallas: (469) 607-0909
Irving Cares: (972) 721-9181
Metrocrest Services (Carrollton area): (972) 446-2100
Duncanville Outreach Ministry: (972) 296-4986
Tell the agency you're a Reliant customer asking about CARE, and mention any disconnection notice. Reliant says help can take up to 8 weeks and may not cover your whole bill.
Gas: Atmos Energy Sharing the Warmth
Atmos and its customers fund Sharing the Warmth, which Atmos says gave more than $4.9 million in 2025 through local agencies. Funds are first come, first served, and each local agency sets its own eligibility rules.
In the Dallas area, Catholic Charities Dallas partners with Atmos. For residential Atmos account holders in Collin, Dallas, Ellis, Fannin, Grayson, Hunt, Kaufman, Navarro and Rockwall counties, it offers:
One-time help up to $500 for gas usage, deposits or reconnection fees (not tampering fees)
Weatherization, gas appliance repair or replacement, and customer-owned gas line repair
You'll need a recent Atmos bill with your name and address and a valid photo ID. You can apply online through Catholic Charities Dallas. If you're facing disconnection, Catholic Charities says it can ask Atmos to put a hold on your account while your help is processed. If you've already been disconnected, Catholic Charities notifies Atmos. Once Atmos posts a note to your account, you call 888-286-6700 to schedule reconnection.
Water: Operation WaterShare
Dallas Water Utilities runs Operation WaterShare, funded by customer donations, for eligible residents who are temporarily unable to pay. Call to schedule an eligibility appointment:
Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center, 2922 MLK Jr. Blvd.: 214-670-8416 (appointment line weekdays 9 a.m. to noon)
Senior Citizen Services at MLK Center (ages 62+, if the account is flagged as a senior resident): 214-670-5227
West Dallas Multipurpose Center, 2828 Fish Trap Road: 214-670-6340 (weekdays 9 a.m. to noon)
For billing questions, call DWU Customer Service at 214-651-1441.
The Big Program: Dallas County CEAP
Dallas County Health & Human Services runs the state-funded Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) for electric and gas bills, and it can also help repair heating and cooling units. As of October 2026 the county lists CEAP as open, by appointment only, with no walk-ins. Call (214) 819-1848, weekdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and expect long waits.
Income: at or below 150% of federal poverty guidelines, based on the last 30 days. For 2026, that's $23,940 a year for one person or $49,500 for four.
Bring for every household member: citizenship or legal status proof, photo ID, Social Security card, 30 days of income for adults (or a Texas Workforce Commission wage detail printout if no income), and front-and-back copies of your electric and gas bills.
Timing: 4 to 6 weeks. The county says to keep paying or make arrangements with your providers until you get a decision letter.
Limit: one application per household per calendar year.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Program funding and rules change, so confirm with each agency before you go.
Frequently Asked Questions
I earn too much for CEAP. Can I still get help?
Often, yes. TXU Energy Aid, the NRG-brand help at Catholic Charities Dallas, and Atmos Sharing the Warmth each set their own rules, and they're usually looser than CEAP's 150% income limit.
Can Atmos or TXU shut me off when it's below freezing?
Not for nonpayment on an extreme weather emergency day, meaning the previous day's high was 32°F or lower and freezing weather is forecast for the next 24 hours. You still owe the bill, so ask for a payment plan.
Does any of this cover my water bill?
CEAP and the electric and gas funds don't cover water. City of Dallas water customers should call about Operation WaterShare.
Related Guides
Need help asking your landlord or utility for more time? Our $9 Behind on Rent Action Kit has fill-in letters and checklists. Free help is always available at 211.
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