Nonprofit Organizations That Can Help With Utility Bills in October 2026

If you are behind on an electric, gas, water or heating bill, several nonprofit organizations may be able to help. Many provide emergency grants paid directly to the utility company to prevent a shutoff.

Availability, income limits and funding vary by city and state, so contact the organization serving your area.
 

The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army offers emergency utility and rent assistance through local centers. Programs may help pay electricity, natural gas, water, heating oil, propane or furnace-repair costs.

Some locations operate programs such as HeatShare or EnergyShare, which are designed for households facing an energy crisis or possible shutoff.

Find help through The Salvation Army’s utility and rent assistance page.
 

Catholic Charities USA

Catholic Charities agencies operate across the country and often provide emergency help with utility bills, rent, food and other basic needs.

You do not need to be Catholic to receive help. Contact your local Catholic Charities office and ask about utility assistance, emergency grants or case management.

Learn more at Catholic Charities USA.
 

St. Vincent de Paul

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul provides emergency assistance through local parish-based conferences. Help may include utility bills, rent, food, clothing and other urgent needs.

Assistance is usually handled locally, so search for a St. Vincent de Paul conference near you and ask whether utility grants are available.
 

Dollar Energy Fund

The Dollar Energy Fund partners with utility companies to provide hardship grants for limited-income households. It may help with electricity, natural gas, water and wastewater service.

The organization says it has provided more than 1 million grants across 18 states since 1983.

Check eligibility and participating utilities through the Dollar Energy Fund website.
 

United Way 211

United Way’s 211 helpline is one of the best places to start. It connects people with local nonprofits, churches, community action agencies and government programs that may help pay utility bills.

Call 211 or visit 211.org to find assistance near you.
 

Operation Round Up

Many rural electric cooperatives offer Operation Round Up. Customers voluntarily round up their utility bills, and the extra money funds emergency assistance for neighbors in need.

Contact your rural electric cooperative and ask whether it offers Operation Round Up or a member hardship fund.
 

Project SHARE and utility fuel funds

Some utilities partner with nonprofits through programs such as Project SHARE, Project HELP, HeatShare or local fuel funds. These programs use customer and company donations to help households facing financial hardship.

For example, Entergy’s Power to Care program helps older adults and people with disabilities with emergency utility bills, with assistance administered by local nonprofits.

Ask your utility company whether it sponsors a hardship or fuel fund.
 

American Red Cross

The American Red Cross may provide help after disasters, including assistance with emergency housing, food, clothing and other urgent needs. Utility help may be available in disaster-related situations rather than for routine bills.

Find your local chapter through the American Red Cross.
 

Other local nonprofits

Depending on where you live, these organizations may also help:

• Lutheran Social Services.

• Jewish Family Services.

• Urban League affiliates.

• Local churches and food pantries.

• Community action agencies.

• Housing nonprofits.

• Tribal assistance programs.

• Local senior centers.

Ask specifically whether they offer “emergency utility assistance,” “energy assistance” or “shutoff prevention.”
 

How to apply

Before contacting a nonprofit, gather:

• A recent utility bill.

• A shutoff notice, if you have one.

• Proof of income.

• Identification.

• Proof of household size.

• Proof of benefits such as SSI, SNAP or disability income.

Many organizations pay the utility company directly rather than giving cash to the applicant.
 

Bottom line

The most useful nonprofit starting points are The Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, St. Vincent de Paul, Dollar Energy Fund and United Way 211.

Call 211 first if you are unsure where to apply. It can connect you with local nonprofits and emergency utility programs in your area.

-

Overwhelmed by bills? Subscribe now and discover financial help to lighten the load!