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Last updated: October 17, 2026
Mississippi seniors who cannot keep up with electricity, natural gas, propane, or other home-energy costs have several different paths. The most important are Mississippi LIHEAP through a local Community Action Agency, state shutoff protections, utility-company hardship programs, and weatherization for homes that keep wasting energy.
This guide focuses on what a Mississippi senior can actually do next. It also explains where old information can cause trouble, especially old water-assistance pages and old references to CenterPoint Energy.
Bottom Line
If you have a high energy bill or a shutoff notice, start with the MDHS LIHEAP page and submit a Community Services pre-application through the Access MS portal. LIHEAP is offered in all 82 counties while funds are available, with priority for qualifying elderly or disabled households.
Also call the utility on your bill. Ask for a payment arrangement and mention any medical risk, pending LIHEAP application, or shutoff date. Mississippi disconnection protections may help before aid is approved.
If Shutoff Is Close
- Call your utility first. Ask for the shutoff date, amount needed to stop it, and any payment arrangement.
- Say if someone faces a life-threatening medical risk. Mississippi rules provide a 60-day nonpayment protection when the utility receives qualifying written medical certification.
- Check the weather. Covered electric and gas customers have freeze-warning protections. Electric customers also have an Excessive Heat Warning protection.
- Apply for LIHEAP now. Do not wait for the utility to disconnect service before starting the process.
- Call 211. 211 Mississippi can search local charities, churches, emergency funds, and other programs by county.
If there is a fire, a downed power line, or an immediate safety emergency, call 911. If you smell natural gas, leave the area first and then contact the gas utility’s emergency line.
Start Here
- Apply for Community Services. On Access MS, select “Community Services.” The local Community Action Agency receives the pre-application.
- Call the company on the bill. Ask about extensions, deferred payments, senior or disability programs, and how a pending LIHEAP pledge affects shutoff.
- Use a senior navigator if needed. Mississippi Access to Care connects older adults with local aging services at 1-844-822-4622. Our Mississippi AAA guide can help find the right office.
| Problem | Start with | What it may do | Main limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power or gas bill is unaffordable | LIHEAP and your utility | Pay eligible home-energy costs or help resolve a crisis | Income rules and funding apply |
| Shutoff notice | Utility, LIHEAP, PSC rights | Create time, a payment plan, or a protected route | The exact protection depends on facts and utility jurisdiction |
| Bills stay high every season | Weatherization | Insulation, air sealing, heating-system or duct work | It is not general remodeling |
| Water or sewer bill | Water provider and 211 | Payment plan or local emergency referral | The former federal LIHWAP program has ended |
| Utility-specific hardship | Company assistance page | Charitable aid, discounts, extensions, arrangements | Programs differ by provider and funding |
Mississippi LIHEAP Is the Main Energy-Bill Program
The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP, is Mississippi’s main public energy-bill program for low-income households. MDHS says it can help with energy bills and crises involving electricity, natural gas, wood, propane, butane, and other eligible energy costs.
Who may qualify
MDHS says a household typically must have income at or below 60% of Mississippi state median income, owe a home-energy bill to a company or landlord, and meet citizenship or legal-residency rules. Funding is limited. Priority goes to vulnerable households, including those with an elderly or disabled member or a child age 5 or younger.
Do not rely on an old dollar table. The current MDHS page gives the percentage test but no fixed statewide award amount. Ask your Community Action Agency to confirm the current household-size cutoff, benefit available, and funding status.
How Mississippi application works
Submit a pre-application through Access MS and select “Community Services.” MDHS sends it to your local Community Action Agency, or CAA. The CAA then schedules an appointment to complete the application.
MDHS says elderly or disabled households, and households with a child age 5 or younger, should expect an appointment within 30 business days. Other applicants should expect one within 45 days. This is an appointment target, not a payment promise.
If approved, the CAA pays the energy provider directly. For help finding the correct agency, MDHS lists Community Services at 1-800-421-0762 on its Community Services contacts page.
Helpful tip: A landlord-name bill does not automatically disqualify you. MDHS says the CAA may accept a notarized landlord statement or a lease showing you are responsible for the energy cost.
Mississippi Shutoff Protections Can Buy Critical Time
Shutoff protection is separate from bill assistance. Even without LIHEAP approval, a customer may have a rule that delays disconnection. The Mississippi Public Service Commission lists key protections in its Ratepayer Bill of Rights.
| Protection | What the rule says | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Advance notice | Written pending-disconnection notice at least 5 days before shutoff | Keep the notice and call before the listed date |
| Medical danger | Up to 60 days when qualifying written doctor certification says shutoff would create a life-threatening situation | Ask the utility immediately what medical form or written certification it needs |
| Mid-winter rule | Participating electric or gas customers can avoid disconnection from December 1 through April 1 under the rule | Ask whether you qualify and what participation requires |
| Freeze warning | No covered electric or gas shutoff for nonpayment when a National Weather Service freeze warning is in effect for the county at 8 a.m. on the scheduled day | Call the utility if a freeze warning is active |
| Excessive heat | No covered electric shutoff for nonpayment when an Excessive Heat Warning is in effect for the county at 8 a.m. on the scheduled day | Call the electric utility that morning and document the warning |
| LIHEAP approval | Protection can apply when approved LIHEAP equals the delinquent balance, is payable within 30 days, and the utility receives notice | Ask the CAA to confirm the pledge was sent to the utility |
The Commission also says residential customers may negotiate delayed payment plans with electric or natural gas companies under utility terms. Customers may designate another person to receive account and disconnection notices, which can help when a caregiver manages bills.
Important: PSC jurisdiction is not identical for investor-owned utilities, cooperatives, municipal systems, and other providers. Electric cooperative rates and internal affairs have special limits on PSC regulation. Start with the company on your bill. If it falls under Commission jurisdiction and the problem remains unresolved, use the PSC complaint page.
Check the Program Offered by Your Utility
After applying for LIHEAP, check the company-specific program. This matters because a senior may qualify for charitable assistance or a payment arrangement even when LIHEAP funds are delayed or exhausted.
| Provider | Useful options | Current detail to know |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Power | Project SHARE, Bill Extender, Bill Discount, LIHEAP | Project SHARE: up to $500 yearly for eligible residential customers with financial need |
| Entergy Mississippi | Power to Care, deferred payment, payment extension, LIHEAP | Power to Care: age 60+ or disability; qualifying deferred plans up to 4 months |
| Delta Utilities | DU Cares, payment extensions, deferred arrangements, LIHEAP | DU Cares: up to $250 once per household in 12 months while funds last |
| Atmos Energy | LIHEAP, Sharing the Warmth, payment options | Local agencies decide eligibility; Atmos also directs customers to 211 |
| Spire Mississippi | Payment arrangements, LIHEAP and local assistance referrals | Pending sale to Delta expected near the end of 2026, subject to approvals |
Mississippi Power
The Mississippi Power assistance page says Project SHARE may provide up to $500 a year to eligible residential customers with financial need; Catholic Charities handles applications at 228-701-0555. Bill Extender can move an eligible primary-residence customer’s due date to the fifth. Current SSI or TANF recipients may also qualify for Bill Discount. Customer Care is 1-800-532-1502.
Entergy Mississippi
The Entergy bill toolkit lists LIHEAP, Power to Care, deferred payments, and extensions. Power to Care uses nonprofit partners for emergency help for customers age 60+ or with disabilities. Qualifying customers may spread a balance over as many as four months. Customer service is 1-800-368-3749.
Delta Utilities
Delta Utilities now serves former CenterPoint natural-gas customers in Mississippi after the April 1, 2025 sale. Its Delta payment assistance page lists extensions, deferred arrangements, and LIHEAP.
DU Cares can provide up to $250 toward a qualifying gas bill, once per household in 12 months. Older adults and people with disabilities receive priority, and applications can pause when funds are allocated. Customer service is 1-833-335-8299.
Atmos Energy and Spire
Atmos bill assistance directs Mississippi customers to LIHEAP and Sharing the Warmth. Local agencies decide Sharing the Warmth eligibility; customers can also call 211.
Spire customers can ask about payment arrangements and local referrals through its Spire cold-weather page. Delta agreed to acquire Spire Mississippi in 2026. The Delta-Spire transaction notice says closing is expected near the end of 2026, subject to approvals. Until then, use the provider and contact information on your current bill.
Weatherization Can Lower Future Bills
If the problem is not one bad bill but a home that is hard to heat or cool, apply for the Mississippi Weatherization Assistance Program. The current weatherization page says households typically qualify at or below 200% of the current federal poverty guidelines. Priority includes seniors age 60 or older, people with disabilities, households with young children, high residential energy users, and households with a high energy burden.
Possible measures include ceiling, wall, or floor insulation; air-infiltration reduction; furnace repair or replacement; heating-duct improvements; and energy education. The work is based on an energy assessment and program rules. Weatherization is not a cash grant for any repair you choose, and it is not a general remodeling program.
Apply through Access MS under Community Services. Renters may also be weatherized in some situations, but the CAA must determine whether the property and owner participation meet program rules. If the home needs a roof, electrical repair, or other safety work beyond weatherization, our Mississippi home repair guide covers other verified repair paths. For a broader explanation of efficiency programs, see our energy-efficiency help guide.
Water and Sewer Bills Need a Different Plan
LIHEAP is an energy program. Do not assume it will pay a water or sewer bill. The temporary federal Low Income Household Water Assistance Program, or LIHWAP, ended after its emergency funding period. The federal Office of Community Services says funding is no longer available and households cannot receive LIHWAP benefits now; see the federal LIHWAP notice.
This matters because old Mississippi pages and search results can still mention LIHWAP. For a current water crisis, call the water or sewer provider first and ask for a payment plan, hardship fund, leak adjustment, or local referral. Then call 211 and ask specifically for water-bill or shutoff help in your county. Your local Community Action Agency may also know about flexible local funds, but availability varies and should not be assumed.
Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians
Tribal members may have a separate assistance route rather than the same county process used by other Mississippi households. The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians says its Assistance Services program provides supplemental, supportive, or financial help to eligible Choctaw families whose income and resources are not enough for basic needs. The current Choctaw Assistance Services page lists 601-650-1666.
Ask the tribal office which current energy-assistance program applies to your household and what documents are required. Do not rely on old tribal webpages that still refer to the ended federal LIHWAP water program.
How to Apply Without Wasting Time
Work three tracks at once: apply for LIHEAP, call the utility, and gather CAA documents. Keep a record of calls, confirmation numbers, promised payments, and documents submitted.
Documents to gather
- Photo identification for adults in the household.
- Social Security numbers or cards for household members when required by MDHS.
- Recent income proof, such as Social Security, SSI, disability, pension, pay, unemployment, or tax documents that apply to the household.
- The most recent electric, gas, propane, or other energy bills.
- Any shutoff or past-due notice.
- Lease, mortgage, or other residence proof.
- If the energy bill is in the landlord’s name, the lease or landlord documentation showing your responsibility for the bill.
- Medical certification paperwork if disconnection would create a life-threatening situation.
Our Mississippi benefits portals guide maps state application systems. For help beyond utilities, see Mississippi senior assistance.
Reality Checks
- LIHEAP is not guaranteed. Mississippi states that funding is limited.
- Priority is not approval. Older or disabled households may get priority, but eligibility and available funds still control the case.
- A pledge is different from cash. LIHEAP generally pays the energy provider, not the applicant.
- Weatherization takes time. It is a home-efficiency service, not an emergency same-day bill payment.
- Utility charity funds can run out. DU Cares and Project SHARE have separate funding and eligibility rules.
- Water aid is fragmented. The old federal LIHWAP program is no longer funded, so local provider and community routes matter more.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Waiting until disconnection to ask about a payment plan or medical protection.
- Applying for LIHEAP but not telling the utility that an application or pledge is pending.
- Assuming the same shutoff rule applies to every cooperative, municipal utility, and investor-owned company.
- Using an old CenterPoint assistance page instead of checking the current Delta Utilities route.
- Using an old LIHWAP water application as if federal water-bill funds were still open.
- Missing a CAA appointment because one document is missing. MDHS tells applicants to attend and provide additional requested information as soon as possible.
- Paying a third party to “guarantee” help. Use the state, utility, CAA, tribal, or established nonprofit route.
Denied, Delayed, or Still Short
If LIHEAP is denied, ask for the written reason and whether information is missing. If the problem is funding rather than eligibility, ask when the CAA expects to accept more cases and whether another local energy fund is available.
If the utility will not resolve a billing or shutoff dispute, document the name of the person you spoke with, the time, the balance, and the proposed arrangement. For utilities under Mississippi Public Service Commission jurisdiction, the Commission provides a complaint process after you try to resolve the issue with the company.
Also call 211 and ask for utility assistance, food help, and rent help together. Reducing another essential bill can free money for energy. Our Mississippi charities guide can help you prepare for local nonprofit intake. If the crisis is part of a larger fixed-income problem, our national utility bill help guide explains additional federal and provider pathways.
Older adults who are overwhelmed by several agencies can call the Mississippi Access to Care Network at 1-844-822-4622. The MDHS aging services page also lets you find the Area Agency on Aging serving your county.
Phone Scripts
Calling the Community Action Agency
“I am an older Mississippi resident who needs energy-bill help. Which LIHEAP or crisis program should I use, what is the current income limit for my household size, and what documents should I bring?”
Calling the utility before shutoff
“I have a shutoff notice dated [date] and I am applying for energy assistance. What payment arrangement or amount will stop disconnection, and how should my agency send a LIHEAP pledge?”
Medical-risk call
“A permanent resident of this home could face a life-threatening medical risk if service is disconnected. What physician certification do you require, and where should the doctor send it?”
Calling 211 for backup help
“I am a senior in [county] who needs help with a [electric/gas/water] bill. I contacted the utility and LIHEAP. Please check local charities, emergency funds, and senior programs that may help.”
Resumen en español
Si usted es una persona mayor en Mississippi y necesita ayuda con la electricidad, gas u otro costo de energía del hogar, empiece con LIHEAP del Mississippi Department of Human Services. La solicitud inicial se hace en Access MS bajo “Community Services” y luego la agencia comunitaria de su área completa el proceso.
Si tiene aviso de desconexión, llame también a la compañía de servicios públicos. Mississippi tiene ciertas protecciones por aviso previo, riesgo médico, frío extremo y calor extremo. Las reglas pueden depender de la compañía y de la jurisdicción. Si necesita ayuda local adicional, llame al 211. Para servicios para adultos mayores, llame a Mississippi Access to Care al 1-844-822-4622.
El antiguo programa federal LIHWAP para facturas de agua ya no tiene fondos. Para agua o alcantarillado, llame primero a la compañía local y después al 211 para buscar ayuda disponible en su condado.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Mississippi have utility assistance specifically for seniors?
Mississippi does not have one statewide energy grant only for seniors. LIHEAP serves eligible low-income households and gives priority to vulnerable households, including those with elderly members. Weatherization also gives priority to seniors age 60 or older. Some utilities have senior-focused help, such as Entergy’s Power to Care for customers age 60 or older or customers with disabilities.
What is the Mississippi LIHEAP income limit?
MDHS currently says a household typically must have income at or below 60% of Mississippi state median income for its household size. Because dollar cutoffs can change, ask the local Community Action Agency to confirm the current dollar limit when you apply.
What if my electricity may be shut off tomorrow?
Call the utility immediately, ask for a payment arrangement, and tell it about any LIHEAP application or medical risk. Mississippi rules include protections involving advance notice, qualifying medical certification, freeze warnings, excessive heat warnings for electric service, and other circumstances. The exact rule depends on your provider and facts.
Does LIHEAP pay Mississippi water bills?
LIHEAP is for home-energy costs, not ordinary water or sewer bills. The separate temporary federal LIHWAP water-assistance program ended. For a water bill, contact the water provider about hardship or payment plans and call 211 for current local assistance.
Can a Mississippi renter get LIHEAP or weatherization?
Potentially. MDHS says LIHEAP can work when the energy bill is owed to an energy company or landlord, and it gives documentation options when the landlord’s name is on the bill. MDHS also says a renter’s home can sometimes be weatherized. The local Community Action Agency must verify the arrangement and required documents.
Do Mississippi shutoff protections cover electric cooperatives?
Do not assume every PSC rule applies in exactly the same way. Mississippi electric cooperatives have special limits on Public Service Commission regulation. Call the cooperative first about its disconnection and payment rules. If you need outside help, also contact the local Community Action Agency and 211.
About This Guide
This guide uses official federal, state, local, and other high-trust nonprofit and community sources mentioned in the article.
Editorial note
This guide is produced based on our Editorial Standards using official and other high-trust sources, regularly updated and monitored, but not affiliated with any government agency and not a substitute for official agency guidance. Individual eligibility outcomes cannot be guaranteed.
Corrections
Please note that despite our careful verification process, errors may still occur. Email info@grantsforseniors.org with corrections and we will respond within 72 hours.
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and is not legal, financial, medical, tax, disability-rights, immigration, or government-agency advice. Program rules, policies, and availability can change. Readers should confirm current details directly with the official program before acting.
Last updated: October 17, 2026 · Next review: January 15, 2027
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