APS and SRP Bill Help in Phoenix 2026–27: Discounts up to 60%, Crisis Aid, LIHEAP and Payment Plans After the Summer Shutoff Pause
Phoenix summers can send electric bills soaring, and the bill doesn't stop when the heat does. If you're an APS customer, the state's summer shutoff pause ends on October 15, and disconnections for unpaid bills can resume the next day. If you're an SRP customer, you have your own set of discounts and support.
This guide covers both utilities: the monthly discounts for income-qualified homes, one-time crisis help, payment arrangements, and how to apply for LIHEAP and the state's Power AZ program through the Arizona Department of Economic Security.
Last checked October 2026. Sources: APS's Energy Support Program, Crisis Bill Assistance and Disconnections pages (income guidelines effective July 1, 2026); SRP's Income-Qualified Discount page; and the Arizona Corporation Commission's June 2, 2026 news release on the summer disconnection moratorium and assistance programs. We didn't find SRP's own disconnection policy on the pages we reviewed, so ask SRP directly.
The Short Version
Not sure who your utility is? Check your bill. Phoenix-area homes may be served by APS, SRP or another provider.
APS Energy Support: 25% off (up to $95 a month) or 60% off (up to $165 a month) for households at or below 200% of poverty. Call (844) 309-5655.
SRP Income-Qualified Discount: a $35 monthly credit at or below 150% of poverty, or $10 at 151% to 200%. Call (602) 236-8888.
APS Crisis Bill Assistance: up to $1,000 a year after a job loss, big unexpected expense or medical problem.
LIHEAP and Power AZ: up to $640 in standard help plus up to $500 in crisis aid, through DES at (866) 494-1981.
APS payment arrangements: spread a past-due balance over up to 12 months. Call (602) 371-7607.
APS: The Summer Pause Is Ending
APS says it doesn't disconnect residential service for nonpayment from June 1 through October 15, and doesn't charge late fees in that window. The Arizona Corporation Commission's June release confirmed APS chose that option for 2026.
That doesn't mean summer bills were forgiven. The Commission said plainly that bills aren't paused or forgiven, and you're responsible for all the power you used.
What APS says happens next:
From October 16 through May 31, service can be disconnected for nonpayment.
If your past-due balance is over $300 and your current charges, plus any payment arrangement amount, aren't paid by the due date, service may be disconnected.
You'll get a series of reminders and assistance options before a shutoff.
If you had a past-due balance of $75 or more in mid-September, APS says it automatically set you up on a six-month payment arrangement. Check your bill to see if that applies to you.
APS also says that, starting in April 2026, it temporarily pauses residential shutoffs when the next day's forecast is 95°F or higher in your area. It also continues to pause shutoffs when temperatures are expected to be below 32°F. The Commission notes the 95-degree rule came from a settlement with the Arizona Attorney General's office.
APS Payment Arrangements
APS says customers with a past-due balance of $75 or more qualify for a payment arrangement. Its Crisis Bill Assistance page says the balance can be spread over up to 12 months.
The catch: each month you must pay both the arrangement amount and your current charges by the due date. If an arrangement fails, it can affect whether you qualify for another one. APS says that depending on how many arrangements you've broken, you may have to pay up to 50% of the past-due balance before setting up a new one.
Call (602) 371-7607 or (800) 253-9409, which APS says are answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
APS Energy Support Program: 25% or 60% Off
The Energy Support Program is APS's ongoing discount for lower-income homes. It's funded by APS customers and approved by the Arizona Corporation Commission. Households must have gross monthly income at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines.
Monthly income limits (effective July 1, 2026)
1 person: $2,660.00 (25% discount) or $1,010.67 (60% discount)
2 people: $3,606.67 (25% discount) or $1,370.35 (60% discount)
3 people: $4,553.33 (25% discount) or $1,730.04 (60% discount)
4 people: $5,500.00 (25% discount) or $2,089.73 (60% discount)
5 people: $6,446.67 (25% discount) or $2,449.41 (60% discount)
6 people: $7,393.33 (25% discount) or $2,809.10 (60% discount)
APS's table goes up to 11 people. Income means total gross household income from all sources, taxable and not, for everyone who lives in the home.
What to know before you apply
Apply online or by mail using APS's printable application. Questions go to (844) 309-5655.
Send proof of income for all adults in the home, such as last month's pay stubs, last year's W-2 or tax return, Social Security, child support or alimony award letters, veterans benefits, annuities or unemployment.
For the 25% level, APS also accepts a copy of your EBT card or a SNAP or TANF award letter.
Send copies only, since documents aren't returned.
You must reapply every 24 months, and the discount applies to one address.
If your income drops, you can reapply any time for the bigger discount.
The discount applies to the cost of electricity only, not taxes, the regulatory assessment, franchise fees or certain other charges.
Enrolled customers have the $2.65 card convenience fee waived when paying through APS's payment partner.
Energy Support with Medical
If someone at home uses critical medical equipment that needs electricity, APS's Energy Support with Medical program offers 35% off (up to $95 a month) or 60% off (up to $165 a month), along with planned-outage notifications.
APS Crisis Bill Assistance: Up to $1,000 a Year
APS says customers may qualify for up to $1,000 per year in bill help if they meet the income limit and have had at least one of the following:
A loss or reduction of income
An unexpected major expense
A medical condition that endangers health or safety
The income limit is the same as the Energy Support 25% column, for example $2,660 a month for one person or $5,500 for a family of four.
APS's crisis help is handled by local partners. APS lists Wildfire, a nonprofit that works with community action agencies across the state, Maricopa County Human Services and Chicanos Por La Causa. Each agency tells you what documents it needs.
APS also lists help through the Salvation Army of up to $500 in a crisis, called Project SHARE on one APS page and APS CARE on another.
SRP Income-Qualified Discount
SRP's discount is a flat monthly credit, not a percentage.
At or below 150% of poverty: $35 a month
151% to 200% of poverty: $10 a month
Monthly income limits
1 person: $1,995 ($35 credit) or $2,660 ($10 credit)
2 people: $2,705 ($35 credit) or $3,606 ($10 credit)
3 people: $3,415 ($35 credit) or $4,553 ($10 credit)
4 people: $4,125 ($35 credit) or $5,500 ($10 credit)
5 people: $4,835 ($35 credit) or $6,446 ($10 credit)
6 people: $5,545 ($35 credit) or $7,393 ($10 credit)
SRP adds $710 a person (lower tier) or $946 a person (upper tier) for households over 10. SRP counts the combined income of everyone in the home, including wages, Social Security, SSI, disability, unemployment, pensions, TANF, rental income and interest.
Who qualifies and how to apply
The SRP account must be in your name, at the address that is your permanent home.
Apply online, by phone at (602) 236-8888 (outside Maricopa County, (800) 258-4777), or download the application and return it by e-mail, mail or fax.
Include proof of income for everyone in the home who has income.
SRP will contact you by mail or e-mail about your status, which you can also check in SRP My Account.
You must reapply every year. If you were dropped for not answering an income check but still qualify, SRP says to call or e-mail IQD@srpnet.com.
If your SRP bill is less than the credit, the bill drops to $0. SRP M-Power prepaid customers get the credit on the 1st of each month.
If you're behind with SRP
SRP says to call (602) 236-8888 as soon as possible if you're having trouble paying. Customer service is available 24/7, including holidays. SRP's Customer Resource Counselors, who work Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., can refer you to community help for utility bills, shelter, food and medical care.
LIHEAP and Power AZ Through DES
The Arizona Corporation Commission's June 2026 release describes two state-run programs:
LIHEAP: federally funded, for households earning up to 60% of state median income, with up to $640 in standard benefits and up to $500 in extra crisis help.
Power AZ: a state-funded program that extends help to households earning up to 100% of state median income. The Commission's example is a family of four earning up to $107,976 a year. It offers the same $640 standard and $500 crisis amounts.
Apply for both online through the Arizona Department of Economic Security portal, or call (866) 494-1981 for help. Power AZ's higher income limit means families who've never qualified for energy help before may qualify now.
Other Help
2-1-1: APS points customers to 2-1-1 for community referrals.
Budget Billing: APS offers it to even out high summer bills over the year.
Safety Net (APS): pick a relative or friend to receive a copy of your bill and remind you when it's due.
Weatherization: APS lists the Weatherization Assistance Program to help make homes more energy efficient.
If You Have a Shutoff Notice
Call your utility today. APS: (602) 371-7607. SRP: (602) 236-8888.
With APS, ask whether you're already on the automatic six-month arrangement, or set up a new one.
Apply for LIHEAP or Power AZ through DES, and ask about crisis help.
APS customers: contact Wildfire, Maricopa County Human Services or Chicanos Por La Causa about Crisis Bill Assistance.
Sign up for the Energy Support or Income-Qualified Discount so next summer's bills are smaller.
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