Emergency Utility Assistance in Phoenix: Help Paying Your Electric, Gas, and Water Bills

By Common Ladder · June 3, 2026 · 6 min read

If your lights, gas, or water are about to be shut off — or already are — call 211 first. Dial 2-1-1 from any phone (free, 24/7) or text your ZIP code to 898-211. A live operator can tell you which programs have funds available right now and refer you directly. You do not need to have an address to call.

In Phoenix, losing electricity in summer is a medical emergency. Arizona law has shutoff protections tied to temperature — and multiple programs exist specifically to cover your bill before things reach that point. This guide covers every major option, who qualifies, and what to bring when you call.

LIHEAP — The Federal Baseline for Energy Help

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is the largest energy assistance program available to Arizona residents. It pays a portion of your heating or cooling bill directly to the utility company. You don't repay it.

In Maricopa County, LIHEAP benefits run up to $640 per year for heating or cooling. If you're in a genuine energy crisis — facing imminent shutoff, no functioning AC in summer heat — there's a separate crisis benefit of up to $500 that can be accessed faster.

• Cooling period: April 1 – November 30
• Heating period: December 1 – March 31
• Apply through AZ DES: des.az.gov/liheap
• Phone: (866) 494-1981 — Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
• Maricopa County office: (602) 506-5911

To apply, bring: a photo ID, Social Security cards for everyone in your household, your most recent utility bill, and proof of income (pay stubs, SSI or SSDI letter, benefits statement). Income eligibility is generally at or below 150% of the federal poverty level, though this varies by year.

APS Customers: Energy Support Program and Crisis Bill Assistance

Arizona Public Service (APS) runs two programs for customers who can't keep up with their bills.

APS Energy Support Program

This is a monthly discount — 25% off your bill if your income is between 100–175% of the federal poverty level, or 60% off if you're below 100% FPL. Unlike crisis assistance, it's ongoing. Apply once and it renews automatically as long as you remain eligible.

• Phone: (602) 371-7607 / Toll-Free: (800) 253-9409
• Apply at aps.com or call and they'll mail you an application
• Bring proof of income and your APS account number

APS Crisis Bill Assistance

If you're behind on your APS bill due to a job loss, medical emergency, or other unexpected hardship, this program provides up to $1,000 per year in direct bill payment. It's administered through local community agencies — not through APS directly.

• Call APS at (602) 371-7607 and ask for a referral to a participating community agency, or call 211
• Eligibility requires documenting the hardship (termination letter, medical bill, etc.) and meeting income guidelines
• Assistance is one-time per hardship event, up to the annual cap

One participating agency: CPLC HomeLending, (602) 269-2402, 2610 N. 7th Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85007.

SRP Customers: Income-Qualified Discount

Salt River Project customers can apply for the SRP Income-Qualified Discount, which gives a monthly credit on your bill:

• 0–150% of federal poverty level: $35/month credit
• 151–200% of federal poverty level: $10/month credit

SRP also participates in LIHEAP — if you receive a LIHEAP benefit it is applied directly to your SRP account.

• Phone: (602) 236-8888 (Phoenix) or (800) 258-4777 (outside 602/623/480)
• Apply online at srpnet.com, or request a paper application by phone
• You'll need to submit income documentation for all household members

Southwest Gas Customers: Low Income Ratepayer Assistance (LIRA)

If you use Southwest Gas for heating, the Low Income Ratepayer Assistance (LIRA) program provides:

• A discounted monthly basic service charge
• A 30% reduction on the per-therm usage rate

Southwest Gas also offers a deferred payment plan if you're behind on a bill — you pay a portion now and spread the balance over future months.

• Phone: (877) 860-6020
• Call to request an income qualification form, or ask about a deferred payment arrangement

City of Phoenix Water Bill: Project Assist

Phoenix residents who are behind on their City water, sewer, and trash bill can apply for Project Assist — a discount program based on household income. Qualifying households receive a reduced rate on their monthly bill going forward, not a one-time payment.

• Phone: (602) 534-2433 (City of Phoenix Human Services)
• You must have a City of Phoenix utilities account in your name
• Income eligibility is based on household size relative to the federal poverty guidelines
• Call to schedule an intake appointment — they can often do it the same week

Community Agencies: Emergency One-Time Help

If you don't qualify for a utility discount program, or if the program is temporarily out of funds, several community agencies in Phoenix provide one-time emergency utility payments.

Salvation Army Phoenix — Hope for Families Line

The Salvation Army provides emergency utility bill help for APS, SRP, and Southwest Gas customers facing a financial crisis — job loss, unexpected expense, medical hardship. Assistance is up to $500 and is funded monthly, so calling early in the month improves your chances.

• Phone: (602) 267-4127 (automated assistance line)
• Summer months fill fast — call the first week of the month if possible
• You'll need your utility account number, ID, and documentation of the hardship

Society of St. Vincent de Paul — Phoenix

St. Vincent de Paul provides utility help through its parish-based volunteer conferences across the Valley. Each conference covers specific ZIP codes and has its own intake hours, so availability varies by neighborhood.

• Phone: (602) 266-4673
• Address: 420 W. Watkins Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85003
• Hours: Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
• Call the main number to be connected to the conference serving your ZIP code

Wildfire (Community Action Agency)

Wildfire administers Community Services Block Grant funds for Maricopa County, including emergency utility assistance. They serve households generally at or below 200% of the federal poverty level.

• Phone: (602) 604-0640
• Web: wildfireaz.org
• Intake is through partner agencies — call to find the closest intake site for your ZIP

Arizona's Shutoff Protection Rules

Arizona law prohibits utilities from disconnecting residential service during extreme weather conditions. Specifically: a utility cannot shut off your service when the National Weather Service forecasts a high above 95°F or a low below 32°F within the next 24 hours.

This protection applies automatically — you don't need to ask for it. If a utility is threatening shutoff during these conditions, cite this rule explicitly. If they proceed anyway, file a complaint with the Arizona Corporation Commission:

• ACC Consumer Services: (602) 542-4251
• Web: azcc.gov

Note that the no-shutoff rule applies during the temperature window only — not indefinitely. If an extreme heat day has passed, the utility can proceed with disconnection. Use the window to call 211 and get a payment plan or emergency assistance in place.

What to Bring When You Call

Most programs will ask for the same set of documents. Having these ready before your first call can save days:

• A photo ID (state ID, driver's license, passport, or Maricopa County ID)
• Social Security cards or numbers for everyone in the household
• Your most recent utility bill showing your account number and amount owed
• Proof of income: pay stubs, SSI/SSDI award letter, SNAP or TANF benefit statement
• If applying for crisis assistance: documentation of the hardship (termination letter, medical bill, etc.)

If you don't have an ID, several Phoenix organizations can help you get one quickly — see our ID recovery guide.

Apply to more than one program at the same time. Funds in most programs run out monthly; if one is closed, another may still have availability. The 211 operator can tell you which programs are currently funded.

Start with 2-1-1. Then work down this list.

Verify before you go / call ahead. Phone numbers and program availability change. Call before traveling to any office. If a number is out of service, dial 211 for a current referral.

Have a correction or an update? Contact us — we verify and update this information regularly.