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Utah utility help for older adults
Last updated: October 8, 2026
Utah seniors can have several layers of help with power and gas bills. The main statewide program is HEAT, but the best path can also depend on your utility company, whether you have a shutoff notice, whether a medical condition makes loss of service dangerous, and whether the problem is a high bill or an inefficient home. Water help is more local than energy help.
Bottom Line
If you are age 60 or older and your household has low income, start with Utah’s HEAT program. Utah accepts HEAT applications from households with an older adult age 60 or over beginning October 1, while the general public is normally processed beginning November 1. HEAT can help with home energy costs and has a crisis route when service is in danger.
Do not stop there. Ask your utility about its own low-income credit, payment plan, or charity fund. If you have a shutoff notice, contact the utility and your local HEAT office the same day.
If Your Utility May Be Shut Off
- Call the utility first. Tell the company you have a shutoff notice and ask what payment arrangement can stop or delay disconnection.
- Call HEAT. Utah says households in danger of shutoff may contact their local HEAT office for crisis assistance.
- Use 211. Utah 211 can search for local utility funds, charities, food help, housing help, and other emergency resources.
- Say if health is at risk. If someone has a serious illness, uses life-support equipment, or depends on electricity for medical needs, tell the utility immediately and ask what medical form is required.
If the utility crisis is part of a larger emergency involving food, rent, or shelter, use our Utah emergency help guide too.
Start Here
- Apply for HEAT. If someone in the household is age 60 or older, October 1 is the normal start of the senior priority application period.
- Call your utility. Ask for every low-income credit, payment arrangement, medical protection, and charity program attached to your account.
- Ask what else is local. Water aid, municipal utility relief, and nonprofit funds can vary by city, county, and service area.
For a wider benefits check beyond utilities, see the Utah senior benefits guide.
| Problem | Best first route | Important limit |
|---|---|---|
| High power or gas bill | HEAT plus utility bill assistance | Income and other HEAT rules apply; funding can run out. |
| Shutoff notice | Utility plus HEAT crisis help | Do not wait for a normal application to finish before calling. |
| Winter shutoff risk | Utah moratorium screening | Only certain regulated utilities and qualified households are covered. |
| Home wastes energy | Weatherization | There can be a waiting list and the program chooses eligible measures. |
| Water shutoff | Local water utility plus 211 | There is no current nationwide LIHWAP benefit to rely on. |
Utah HEAT Is the Main Statewide Starting Point
Utah calls its Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program the Home Energy Assistance Target program, or HEAT. The current Utah HEAT page says the program provides year-round energy assistance to eligible low-income households statewide.
Who may qualify
The current statewide rules list four basic tests. Household income must be at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Level. The household must be responsible for home energy costs. There must be at least one adult age 18 or older, or an emancipated adult. The household must also include at least one U.S. citizen or qualified non-citizen.
Do not use an old dollar chart to decide that your income is too high. Federal poverty amounts change. Let HEAT apply the current program-year table and any allowed deductions to your household.
Seniors can start earlier
Utah gives an earlier application window to households with an older adult, a person with a disability, or a child under age 6. For the 2026-2027 program year, households with someone age 60 or older can apply beginning October 1 and continue through September 30 while federal funds remain. General-public applications are normally processed beginning November 1.
This matters on October 3, 2026: a senior household does not need to wait until November to start.
What to gather
Utah asks for copies of current power and heating bills, proof of all household income received in the month before the application month, and proof of eligible medical expenses, child support, or alimony paid in that prior month when applicable. If disability affects the case, bring proof of disability. The office can request more documents.
HEAT is administered locally. Use the state HEAT office list to find the agency serving your county. If online benefit systems are difficult, our Utah benefits portals guide explains Utah’s main benefit websites and phone backups.
Rocky Mountain Power and Enbridge Have Extra Help
HEAT can open the door to utility-specific assistance. Utah’s state energy-assistance page identifies low-income programs for Rocky Mountain Power and Enbridge Gas Utah in addition to HEAT.
| Utility or program | What it may provide | Best fit | How to start |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rocky Mountain Power HELP | Monthly electric-bill credit | Income-qualified Rocky Mountain Power customers meeting HEAT guidelines | Ask the local HEAT agency to screen and enroll you. |
| Lend A Hand | Donation-funded electric-bill assistance | Rocky Mountain Power households; seniors and disabled household members receive priority | Call The Salvation Army at 801-969-0526 or 1-855-969-0526. |
| Enbridge Energy Assistance Fund | One-time bill credit per heating season | HEAT-qualified Enbridge Gas Utah customers | Apply through HEAT; the credit amount can change by year. |
| Enbridge REACH | $350 credit, plus $50 for an eligible veteran | Past-due Enbridge account, HEAT approval in the same heating season, income at or below the current FPL, and a household with a person age 60+, qualifying disability, or child under 5 | Call The Salvation Army at 801-969-0526. |
Rocky Mountain Power’s current bill payment help page also offers payment arrangements and due-date extensions. It identifies HELP, Lend A Hand, HEAT, weatherization, and 211 as possible paths.
For natural gas, Enbridge’s current REACH program is unusually senior-specific because having a household member age 60 or older is one of the qualifying household conditions. The program is supplemental; a customer must first have HEAT approval in the same heating season and meet the other REACH rules.
Shutoff Protection Is Real, but It Is Not Automatic
Utah has a winter Moratorium program for qualifying households. The current shutoff-protection page says protection runs from November 15 through March 15 and requires the customer to follow a payment plan. The program applies only to utility companies regulated by the Utah Public Service Commission.
Being age 60 or older by itself does not create a blanket winter ban on disconnection. The state screens the account, shutoff status, HEAT connection, household hardship, and payment effort. If you think you qualify, contact the local HEAT office before the shutoff date.
Medical protections may also apply
Utah’s regulated-utility rules provide extra safeguards when loss of service would cause or worsen a serious illness or when life-supporting equipment is used in the home. The state’s current utility rights page also says regulated utilities must follow notice rules, offer certain deferred-payment options, and continue service for a reasonable time when a physician’s statement supports a medical emergency.
A medical extension does not erase the bill. It also does not guarantee power during storms, equipment failures, or wildfire-related public safety outages. Rocky Mountain Power asks customers with electricity-dependent medical needs to use its accessibility programs so the company knows about the household and can provide extra notice when possible.
| Protection | What it can do | What it does not do |
|---|---|---|
| HEAT crisis help | Address an urgent energy-payment problem when program rules are met | Guarantee that every balance or fee will be paid |
| Winter Moratorium | Protect a qualifying regulated-utility customer from shutoff during the protected winter period | Cover every utility or cancel the customer’s payment obligation |
| Medical statement | Trigger short-term service protection under applicable regulated-utility rules | Forgive the bill or guarantee service during an outage |
If the utility is municipal, a cooperative, or another provider outside ordinary PSC complaint authority, the local rules and appeal path can be different. Utah’s DPU complaint process explains which services the Public Service Commission can and cannot resolve.
Weatherization Can Lower the Bill Instead of Paying It
Some seniors need immediate bill help. Others need the home itself to use less energy. Utah’s weatherization program serves households at or below 200% of the current Federal Poverty Level and gives priority to older adults, people with disabilities, high-energy-use households, emergencies, and homes with young children.
Weatherization is a noncash service. The program decides which energy-efficiency and health-and-safety measures are appropriate after an assessment. The state’s program can include work that reduces energy loss and, in some cases, heating or cooling system work that fits program rules.
The current weatherization application page says homeowners are not charged for approved work. Renters can also qualify, but a landlord may need to pay an elected portion of the cost. Applications are prioritized and can go onto a waiting list.
If the house also needs ramps, roof work, plumbing repairs, or other safety repairs beyond energy efficiency, use our Utah home repair guide for other verified repair paths.
Water, Municipal Utilities, Rural Homes, and Tribal Routes
Water help is local now
Older Utah pages can be misleading here. Utah added water assistance during the temporary federal Low Income Household Water Assistance Program, but federal LIHWAP funding ended in March 2024. The current federal LIHWAP fact sheet describes the program as concluded. Do not assume an old HEAT water-benefit page is still an open statewide program.
Local programs still exist. Salt Lake City Public Utilities, for example, offers Project Water ASSIST. The city says a household must have income at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Line and an active disconnection notice. Applicants can call The Salvation Army at 801-969-0526 or Salt Lake City Public Utilities at 801-483-6900.
If you live elsewhere, call the water or sewer utility shown on your bill and ask about hardship funds, payment plans, senior discounts, leak adjustments, or local nonprofit partnerships. Then check 211 by ZIP code. If housing costs are also unstable, our Utah housing guide can help you look at the bigger housing-cost problem.
Rural and delivered-fuel households
Do not assume HEAT is only for Rocky Mountain Power or Enbridge customers. Utah’s HEAT system is statewide, and local agencies can explain how eligible home energy costs are handled when a household uses another provider or fuel source. In rural areas, start with the HEAT agency that serves your county and the company that sends the bill.
Tribal households
LIHEAP can be administered by a state or a Tribe, and the correct office can depend on tribal membership and where the household lives. The federal tribal LIHEAP screening tool advises tribal members to contact both the tribal LIHEAP office and the local/state LIHEAP office when it is not clear which program is assigned to the household.
How to Start Without Wasting Time
- Photograph the shutoff notice. If there is one, keep the date and amount readable.
- Gather both utility bills. Bring electric and heating bills even if only one is past due.
- Gather last month’s income proof. Include Social Security, pension, wages, and other household income the HEAT office requests.
- List medical needs. If electricity or heat affects a medical condition or device, ask the provider and utility what certification is needed.
- Call before mailing. A crisis case can move differently from a routine application. Ask what should be submitted first.
- Keep a call log. Write the date, office, person’s name, promised action, and next deadline.
- Photo ID and current address information
- Recent power and heating bills
- Shutoff or refusal-of-service notice, if any
- Prior month’s income proof for all household members
- Proof of eligible paid medical expenses when claimed
- Disability proof when relevant
- Utility account numbers
- Lease or landlord information if utilities are included in rent
If forms or calls are difficult because of disability, DWS says auxiliary aids and services are available on request. Our Utah disability help guide also covers accommodations and other disability-specific support.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Waiting until November. A Utah household with someone age 60 or older can normally apply for HEAT starting October 1.
- Assuming age alone stops shutoff. Utah’s winter moratorium has conditions and only applies through participating PSC-regulated utilities.
- Using an old income chart. The percentage rule may stay the same while the dollar limits change.
- Assuming HEAT pays water statewide. The temporary federal water program ended; check local water aid instead.
- Ignoring the utility’s own programs. HEAT may make you eligible for extra utility credits or charity help.
- Mailing a crisis application and waiting. If a shutoff is close, call the utility and HEAT office immediately.
- Paying a stranger to “unlock” HEAT. Use official state, utility, or recognized nonprofit routes.
Denied, Delayed, or Overwhelmed
If HEAT says you are not eligible, ask for the reason in writing and ask what income month, household members, bills, or missing documents were used. The state HEAT page says a person who believes they were treated unfairly can call 1-866-205-4357 for assistance.
If the problem is with a regulated utility’s billing, shutoff notice, or failure to follow a tariff or state rule, first contact the utility. If it is not resolved, Utah’s Division of Public Utilities accepts informal complaints. The statewide complaint number is 1-800-874-0904, and the Salt Lake City number is 801-530-7622.
For local charity funds, food help that can free money for utilities, and emergency referrals, call 211. You can also use our Utah charities guide and Utah aging offices guide when you need a local human navigator.
Phone Scripts You Can Use
Calling HEAT
“I am 60 or older and live in ____ County. My household is responsible for the energy bill. I want to apply for HEAT. What documents do you need, and do you have a crisis process if my service is at risk?”
Calling the utility
“I am having trouble paying this bill. Please check my account for every low-income credit, payment arrangement, charity fund, and shutoff-protection option. What amount or action will prevent disconnection while I apply for assistance?”
Calling about medical needs
“Someone in my home has a medical condition or equipment that depends on this utility service. What medical certificate or physician statement do you require, and where should it be sent today?”
Calling 211
“I am an older adult in ZIP code ____ and I need help with a utility bill. I have already contacted HEAT and my utility. Please check for local charity funds, water help, food help, and any senior assistance that could reduce my monthly expenses.”
Resumen en Español
En Utah, el programa principal para ayuda con electricidad y calefacción es HEAT. Los hogares con una persona de 60 años o más pueden solicitar HEAT desde el 1 de octubre, mientras haya fondos. El límite básico de ingresos es 150% del nivel federal de pobreza, pero debe usar la tabla actual del programa.
Si tiene un aviso de corte, llame de inmediato a la compañía de servicios y a la oficina local de HEAT. No suponga que la edad por sí sola impide un corte. Utah tiene protección de invierno para ciertos clientes de compañías reguladas, pero hay requisitos y un plan de pago.
Rocky Mountain Power y Enbridge Gas tienen programas adicionales. Si una enfermedad grave o equipo médico depende de la electricidad o del gas, dígalo a la compañía y pregunte qué certificado médico necesita. Para recursos locales, llame al 2-1-1. La ayuda federal temporal para agua, LIHWAP, terminó; pregunte a su compañía de agua por programas locales.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Utah seniors apply for HEAT in October?
Yes. Utah says households with an elderly member age 60 or older may apply beginning October 1 and through September 30 while federal LIHEAP funds remain. General-public applications are normally processed beginning November 1.
What is the Utah HEAT income limit?
The statewide eligibility rule is household income at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Level, along with the other HEAT requirements. The dollar amount changes as poverty guidelines change, so use the current HEAT table instead of an old chart.
Does HEAT automatically stop a shutoff?
No. HEAT has crisis assistance for eligible households, and Utah has separate shutoff protections, but neither should be treated as an automatic guarantee. Call the utility and local HEAT office as soon as you receive a termination notice.
Are seniors protected from winter shutoff?
Not simply because of age. Utah’s Moratorium program can protect qualifying customers of PSC-regulated utilities from November 15 through March 15, but the household must meet program conditions and follow a payment plan.
Does Utah still have statewide water assistance?
Do not rely on old LIHWAP information. The temporary federal Low Income Household Water Assistance Program ended in March 2024. Some Utah cities and utilities still have local help, such as Salt Lake City’s Project Water ASSIST, so ask the water provider and Utah 211.
Can weatherization replace a furnace or air conditioner?
It can sometimes include heating or cooling system work when the home and measure qualify, but it is not a general repair grant. Utah weatherization first screens household eligibility and the home, chooses approved measures, and may have a waiting list.
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 8, 2026 · Next review: January 6, 2027
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