Texas Utility Help program receives more energy bill assistance funding, expands water bill assistance with future payments AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) announced it is directing an additional $48 million from the Federal Infrastructure and Investment Jobs Act to the Texas Utility Help program to support homeowners and renters who need help paying energy bills. Through Texas Utility Help, homeowners and renters can pay off total past due utility bills for electricity, natural gas, propane, water, and wastewater, plus get up to $2,400 in prospective payments. All approved payments are issued directly to the utility company on the applicant’s behalf. Applicants must meet the following criteria to qualify: Household income must be at or below 150% of Federal Poverty Income Guidelines. At least one occupant in the household must be a United States citizen or Qualified Alien. Texas Utility Help also introduced a program change that adds future payments for water and wastewater assistance at $85 per month, through Sept. 30, 2023. Going forward, Texas Utility Help will send a payment to the approved applicant’s water and wastewater provider as one lump sum equal to the applicant’s past-due balance (if any), plus $85 […]