Summer utility bill help a lifesaver for vulnerable Arizonans

Kelly McGowan

Submitted photo/Wildfire

Local community action agencies can help Arizonans uncover available utility assistance programs, check eligibility and apply for support before bills far too far behind or summer heat reaches its peak.”

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COMMUNITY

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NEIGHBORS

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Utility

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Opinion

Financially challenged Arizonans aren’t alone — how Community Action Agencies are helping

OPINION — For many low-income Arizona families, summer utility bills can quickly become a financial emergency. As temperatures rise, keeping homes safe and cool means stretching already tight budgets even further. About 161,000 Arizona households are severely behind on utility bills, according to a 2025 analysis by The Century Foundation. The report also found Arizona has one of the nation’s highest average monthly energy bills at $289.

Extreme heat only raises the stakes, putting vulnerable populations — including families living paycheck to paycheck and older adults on fixed incomes — at even greater risk.

As summer approaches, the pressure will only intensify. But there are practical steps families can take now to reduce costs, avoid crises and stay safer through the heat.

State and federal utility bill programs

Some Arizona families may qualify for utility assistance even if they have never applied before.

Expanded eligibility through Power AZ — a state-supported program funded through a $15 million investment — now opens assistance to households earning up to 100% of the state median income, or roughly $9,000 per month for a family of four. The program works alongside the federally funded Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, which helps lower-income households pay utility bills.

To qualify for LIHEAP, households can earn up to 60% of the state median income or up to 150% of the federal poverty level. Both programs are administered through the Arizona Department of Economic Security.

Depending on eligibility and household circumstances, qualifying residents may receive up to $640 in assistance, with payments sent directly to the utility provider.

Utility provider assistance

Many Arizona utility customers already have access to programs that can lower monthly costs or help prevent service disruptions during extreme heat.

Some offer ongoing discounts based on household income, while others provide payment flexibility, emergency bill support or alerts that help customers avoid falling behind:

• Monthly bill discounts — Both SRP and APS offer income-based discount programs that can reduce utility bills each month. APS customers may qualify for discounts of 25% or 60%, while SRP customers earning up to 150% of the federal poverty level may receive about $35 off per month.

• Emergency financial support — APS offers up to $1,000 through their Crisis Bill Assistance program. SRP’s Bill Assistance Program, administered by statewide anti-poverty nonprofit Wildfire, offers up to $800 in utility bill assistance for customers facing financial hardship. APS CARE and SRP’s Project SHARE program each provide up to $500 in additional support for qualifying households.

• Payment flexibility and account alerts — SRP’s Safety Net program allows a trusted friend or family member to receive alerts if payments fall behind, while payment arrangement options through APS can help households spread past-due balances over time. Programs like SRP M-Power® and SRP eNotes™ also give customers more visibility into their energy use and billing activity.

HVAC repair and replacement

Long-term home cooling support is also part of the solution. Wildfire partners with community action agencies across Arizona to help eligible households address urgent air conditioning failures before they become dangerous. The program supports HVAC repairs or replacements for families who may not be able to cover the cost on their own, helping to protect Arizonans from heat-related emergencies.

Weatherization programs

Even small gaps in insulation, drafty windows and hidden air leaks can force air conditioners to work harder, pushing monthly utility costs higher. Older homes and mobile homes often face even greater challenges.

The Arizona Department of Housing’s Weatherization Assistance Program helps income-eligible households make practical upgrades that reduce energy waste and lower monthly utility costs over the long-term. Services may include adding insulation, shading windows, sealing air leaks, testing and tuning cooling equipment, and other energy conservation improvements.

Connect with local resources

Arizona’s heat is changing, and so is the financial reality that comes with it. By taking advantage of available programs, families can better manage costs while staying safe through the hottest months ahead.

Local community action agencies can help Arizonans uncover available utility assistance programs, check eligibility and apply for support before bills far too far behind or summer heat reaches its peak.

Kelly McGowan is the executive director for Wildfire, a Phoenix-based nonprofit addressing poverty in Arizona. Please submit comments at yourvalley.net/letters or email them to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.