Contact your utility company as soon as possible if you anticipate being unable to pay your bill for any reason.  

• Utility companies have assistance programs and are willing to work on payment plans. 
• Your utility company will walk you through available assistance options such as setting up a payment plan, applying to one of their programs, or applying for aid through a local agency.

Electric Assistance

Arizona Public Service (APS)

APS offers customers at risk of disconnection several flexible payment arrangements and other assistance options. Contact APS at 602-371-7607 (800-253-9409), 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

• Flexible Payments 
  • Flexible payment arrangements give customers who are struggling to pay their energy bill additional time to get caught up. Customers can check their eligibility and read FAQs about the program on the APS website.

• Crisis Bill Assistance 
  • Qualified customers can receive up to $800 a year to cover current or past-due APS bills through the Crisis Bill Assistance program in partnership with local agency partners. Visit the APS website or call 211 to find your local agency.
• Project SHARE
  • Qualified customers facing severe financial hardship can receive up to $300 a year in emergency energy bill assistance through APS’s SHARE program in partnership with The Salvation Army. Visit the APS website or call 211 to find your local Salvation Army office.
• Energy Support or Energy Support with Medical Program
  • Qualified limited-income customers can receive 25% off their energy bill each month with the Energy Support program. If the customer or someone in their home has a life-threatening illness or uses essential life-sustaining medical equipment that has a critical need for electricity, they can apply to receive a 35% discount through the Energy Support with Medical program. Visit the APS website to apply online or download an application to apply by mail.

Salt River Project (SRP)

• Project SHARE

• • One-time emergency assistance for customers who, due to crisis situations, are unable to pay their basic household energy bills and have exhausted all other potential sources of aid. Customers in need of SHARE funds can request assistance by calling SRP Customer Resource Counselors at (602) 236-3000. Visit the SRP website for more information.

• Customer Resource Counselors
  • SRP Counselors can explore payment options and provide referrals to community agencies for possible assistance with SRP bills. Counselors can also sign customers up for a discount and/or programs to help customers save, reduce, and manage their SRP bills. Call (602) 236-3000 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Visit the SRP website for more information.

• Economy Price Plan
  • Customers with limited incomes can receive a $23 monthly discount on their SRP electric bills through the Economy Price Plan. Complete an online application on the SRP website or call SRP at (602) 236-8888 to enroll.
• Weatherization Assistance
  • In support of the federal Weatherization Assistance Program, SRP provides up to $6,000 per eligible household for energy-efficiency home improvements. Improvements can include insulation, window shading, low-flow showerheads, and more. Qualifying households may also receive additional support through federal funding for installing these types of energy-efficient measures in their homes. Visit the SRP website for more information.

Trico Electric Cooperative

• Bill Pay Assistance
  • Trico continues to provide assistance to members through donations to Wildfire (formerly Arizona Community Action Association) and their partner agencies. For questions about your bill or to discuss payment options, contact Trico Member Services at (520) 744-2944. 

Tucson Electric Power (TEP)

Customers who are having trouble making their payments are encouraged to call TEP Customer Care at (520) 623-7711 to see if they might qualify for additional bill payment assistance through TEP’s partner agencies or the Lifeline program.

• • Payment Extensions
    • Customers who aren’t already on a payment arrangement and just need a little extra time to pay can request a payment extension through My Account using TEP’s mobile app or by calling TEP Customer Care at (520) 623-7711. Generally, customers with a good payment history are eligible for an extension. If you are denied a payment extension online or through the automated IVR system, please speak to a Customer Service Representative.
  • Payment Arrangements
    • Tucson Electric Power does not disconnect residential electric service for non-payment through the hot summer season from June 1 through October 15. Customers with overdue balances after October 15 will be enrolled in a payment arrangement and are expected to continue to make monthly payments to pay down their overdue balances. If you need more time, call TEP Customer Care to request a longer payment plan. Customers placed on payment arrangements must pay the monthly installment amount plus their current monthly bills in full and on time. All customers are responsible for paying for all the energy they use.
  • Short-term Bill Payment Assistance
    • TEP cooperates with several community agencies to offer emergency bill payment assistance to customers through the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program and the statewide Home Energy Assistance Fund administered by Wildfire. Please contact these organizations directly to request assistance.
  • Lifeline Program
    • Low-income residential customers may qualify for an $18 monthly discount through TEP’s Lifeline program. The program is available to residential customers whose household income does not exceed 200 percent of the federal poverty level. View the eligibility guidelines to see if you qualify.
  • Federal Bill Payment Assistance
    • Renters behind on their TEP bills can receive federal funding through the Arizona Department of Economic Security to pay overdue bills. To qualify, your household income must be less than or equal to 80 percent of the Area Median Income. Call TEP Customer Care at (520) 623-7711 and answer a few simple questions to see if you qualify.
  • Free Home Weatherization Assistance
    • TEP works with community partners to offer free home weatherization assistance to limited-income residents. Among the free home retrofits offered are air conditioning system replacement, weather-stripping, caulking, sunshades and low-flow water fixtures.

UniSource Energy

UniSource understands that customers may be struggling financially. To provide relief, UniSource offers extended payment arrangements, payment extensions, and other assistance to customers who are behind on their bills. UniSource also works with community partners to provide emergency bill payment assistance to qualifying customers. Visit the UniSource website for more information.

• Payment Extensions
  • Customers who aren’t already on a payment arrangement can request a payment extension through My Account, using UniSource’s mobile app or by calling UniSource Customer Care at (877) 837-4968. Typically, customers with a good payment history are eligible for an extension. If you are denied a payment extension online or through the automated IVR system, please speak to a Customer Service Representative.
• Payment Arrangements
  • UniSource does not disconnect residential electric service for non-payment through the hot summer season from June 1 through October 15. Customers with overdue balances after October 15 will be enrolled in a payment arrangement and are expected to continue to make monthly payments to pay down their overdue balances. If you need more time, call UniSource Customer Care to request a longer payment plan. Customers placed on payment arrangements must pay the monthly installment amount plus their current monthly bills in full and on time. All customers are responsible for paying for all the energy they use.
• Short-term Bill Payment Assistance
  • UniSource cooperates with several community agencies to offer emergency bill payment assistance to customers through the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program and the statewide Home Energy Assistance Fund. Please contact the agencies listed on the UniSource website to request assistance or click here for a list of agencies by county.
• Customer Assistance Residential Energy Support (CARES)
  • Through the UniSource CARES program, qualified electric customers receive a $16 monthly discount, while gas customers can receive a $3 discount on the standard Basic Service and Meter Charge as well as a 15 cent-per-therm discount for up to 100 therms of gas use each month from November through April. To see if you qualify, view the eligibility guidelines for gas customers and electric customers.
• Federal Bill Payment Assistance
  • Renters behind on their UniSource gas or electric bills can receive federal funding through the Arizona Department of Economic Security to pay overdue bills. To qualify, your household income must be less than or equal to 80 percent of the Area Median Income. Call UniSource Customer Care at (877) 837-4968 and answer a few simple questions to see if you qualify.
• Free Home Weatherization Assistance
  • UniSource works with community partners to offer free home weatherization assistance to limited-income residents. Among the free home retrofits offered are air conditioning system replacement, weather-stripping, caulking, sunshades and low-flow water fixtures.

Gas Assistance

Southwest Gas

If you’re a Southwest Gas residential customer and meet certain income guidelines, you may qualify for assistance in paying your bills.

• Payment Extension 
  • A 5-day payment extension can be requested online through MyAccount, via mobile app, or through the automated phone system, available 24/7, at (877) 860-6020. All other types of payment arrangements can be requested by calling Customer Solutions at (877) 860-6020 Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. – 6 p.m. PST (excluding holidays). Hearing impaired, use 711.
• Deferred Payment Program
  • If you can demonstrate a hardship and have outstanding bills, the deferred payment plan allows you to pay your bill over an extended period of time and gives you an opportunity to obtain assistance before service is discontinued. Southwest Gas also makes referrals to government or local social service agencies. Call (877) 860-6020 for more information.
• Bill Assistance Program
  • Low-income customers facing hardship or crisis may be eligible for short-term aid through the Bill Assistance Program in partnership with local agencies. For more information or to sign up, visit the Southwest Gas website or call 211 to find your local agency.
• Arizona Low Income Ratepayer Assistance (LIRA) Program
  • Southwest Gas customers may qualify for reduced energy rates through the Arizona Low Income Ratepayer Assistance (LIRA) Program. This program provides a yearly 30% reduction in the monthly basic service charge and a “per therm” rate discount. The “per therm” discount will be applied to the first 150 therms of natural gas used each month from November 1 through April 30. Visit the Southwest Gas website to apply.
• Weatherization Assistance
  • Whether you own or rent your residence, this program can assist you with money-saving home improvements to increase the energy efficiency of your home. Energy-saving measures are available to income-qualified customers, at no cost. Examples of energy-saving measures are caulking, insulation, weather-stripping and ductwork/window repairs. Visit the Southwest Gas website for more information and to see if you qualify.

UniSource Energy

UniSource understands that customers may be struggling financially. To provide relief, UniSource offers extended payment arrangements, payment extensions, and other assistance to customers who are behind on their bills. UniSource also works with community partners to provide emergency bill payment assistance to qualifying customers. Visit the UniSource website for more information. 

• Payment Extensions
  • Customers who aren’t already on a payment arrangement can request a payment extension through My Account, using UniSource’s mobile app or by calling UniSource Customer Care at (877) 837-4968. Typically, customers with a good payment history are eligible for an extension. If you are denied a payment extension online or through the automated IVR system, please speak to a Customer Service Representative. 
• Payment Arrangements
  • UniSource does not disconnect residential electric service for non-payment through the hot summer season from June 1 through October 15. Customers with overdue balances after October 15 will be enrolled in a payment arrangement and are expected to continue to make monthly payments to pay down their overdue balances. If you need more time, call UniSource Customer Care to request a longer payment plan. Customers placed on payment arrangements must pay the monthly installment amount plus their current monthly bills in full and on time. All customers are responsible for paying for all the energy they use.  
• Short-term Bill Payment Assistance
  • UniSource cooperates with several community agencies to offer emergency bill payment assistance to customers through the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program and the statewide Home Energy Assistance Fund. Please contact the agencies listed on the UniSource website to request assistance or click here for a list of agencies by county. 
• Customer Assistance Residential Energy Support (CARES)
  • Through the UniSource CARES program, qualified electric customers receive a $16 monthly discount, while gas customers can receive a $3 discount on the standard Basic Service and Meter Charge as well as a 15 cent-per-therm discount for up to 100 therms of gas use each month from November through April. To see if you qualify, view the eligibility guidelines for gas customers and electric customers.
• Federal Bill Payment Assistance
  • Renters behind on their UniSource gas or electric bills can receive federal funding through the Arizona Department of Economic Security to pay overdue bills. To qualify, your household income must be less than or equal to 80 percent of the Area Median Income. Call UniSource Customer Care at (877) 837-4968 and answer a few simple questions to see if you qualify.
• Free Home Weatherization Assistance
  • UniSource works with community partners to offer free home weatherization assistance to limited-income residents. Among the free home retrofits offered are air conditioning system replacement, weather-stripping, caulking, sunshades and low-flow water fixtures.

Water Assistance

Water services are controlled by the city in which you live. If you need assistance paying your water bill, contact your city, district, or municipality’s water services department as soon as possible to determine if there is a local moratorium in place, or to discuss flexible payment options. Customers can also call 211 for local agencies that may be able to offer assistance.

More Assistance

If your utility company is unable to provide an option that works for you, you can contact a nonprofit agency or city program that offers utility assistance. Visit the 211 Arizona website or call 211 to get connected with your local utility assistance program.