Lite Up Texas Program For Low Income Electricity Customers
For those with a low income you may qualify for government assistance on lowering the price of your electricity service. The Texas government through the help of the Department of Health and Human Services has provided a way to subsidize the cost of historical high price and usage demand months in the summer and winter. So for instance, if it is a very hot summer day a typical family will use double or triple the amount of electricity they use during other times of the year. So you will likely be using more energy in the summer but typically electricity prices go up in the dead heat of the summer discouraging you from turning on your air conditioner in the first place.
If you have a low income you may not be able to turn on that air conditioner but the Texas government has made it a little easier to do that by making sure your electricity rate stays low. If you have signed up with a Texas electricity provider using exactly the same name (your middle name and initials have to match exactly) as well as the same social security number, drivers license number, birthday, and so on you will automatically qualify for the Texas lite up Texas program. If even a dot is left off of an initial on your name you will not be automatically enrolled and will need to correct your billing information with your electricity provider or contact the Department of Health and Human Services of Texas and change any information that your electricity provider does not have on you. You will have to be like an accountant and go through every little detail with your provider and the department of health and human services or you will have to kiss that extra savings on your electricity rate goodbye.
If I have not made things very crystal clear I am telling those that really want this electricity bill help that you will have to think and work and take time out of your day to deal with the government bureaucracy to make this happen. The tax payers are probably paying 3 times the cost savings you are getting from the government to give you this benefit. Governments by nature are run very inefficiently although state governments are typically more cost efficient than the federal government. The Department of Health and Human Services of Texas is a hybrid of both state and federal government. Because the federal government is tied to it the Lite Up Texas program is not your easy efficient program. You can read more about Lite Up Texas by visiting their website at : http://www.puc.state.tx.us/ocp/assist/liteup/index.cfm. The Low Income assistance hotline number is available to assist people over the phone as well by calling: 1-866-454-8387
If after a few months of trying to get your government assistance for your Texas lights bill and you are still not receiving any savings I recommend switching electricity companies and using the exact information the Department of Health and Human Services has on you. You will need to contact DHHS to get this information but once you receive it be sure you use it excatly as stated when signing up for electricity service. You will be automatically enrolled and will have no other requirements to receive this assistance. By signing up with the right information to begin with you help fulfil confidence with the electricity provider that they will receive subsidies back from the government for your Texas lights bill.
We currently recommend a no deposit guaranteed electricity company for those needing a cheap electricity rate with no deposit in Texas. This company will take $125 up front in what is called the "Fresh Start Plan". They will deduct this $125 from your first months Texas electricity bill. After the first 3 months if you pay your electricity bill on time they will proactively lower your Texas electricity rate plan to the lowest available rate plan they offer. This Fresh Start Plan gives bad credit customers a second chance at becoming a good paying customer. With a no deposit guaranteed electricity company combined with the Lite Up Texas program a low income household can have an electricity rate that they will be able to afford.
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Comment on "Lite Up Texas Program For Low Income Electricity Customers"
User Comments:
dmbook on August 30, 2010
LITE-UP Texas ..... watch your back .... you need to know what you filled on the application ... in 'their' time-frame
Priscilla Reyes on March 27, 2011
For light bill
Debra Phelps on June 09, 2011
Been trying to request application by mail for past three weeks, internet said would receive in week to 10 days. How do I get an application form? My company Simple Power doesn't know anything about it.
I can be reached at phelps.d.deb@gmail.com
Thank you for your assistance.
Deb
