Help paying your electric bill in Georgia
Georgia got $96.1 million in the HHS table, about $24 for each of its 4,008,013 households. Income limit 60% of state median income; public line 1-877-423-4746. Heating help reached 83,520 households in FY2024.
Who to call in Georgia
- Georgia LIHEAP public line1-877-423-4746
- State program sitedfcs.georgia.gov/low-income-home-energy-assistance-program-l
- Georgia Public Service Commission404-656-4501 · 800-282-5813 · psc.ga.gov · complaint form (links checked 2026-10-02)
Shutoff rules and moratoria in Georgia
Georgia: cold weather by dates and temperature; hot weather by dates and temperature; health or age needs yes.
| Protection | Georgia |
|---|---|
| Colder months, by date | November 15 - March 15 |
| Cold temperature | 32°F and below |
| Hotter months, by date | "Summer months" (no specific dates given) |
| Hot temperature | yes, no criteria text |
| Health or age needs | Those with medical conditions and proven medical conditions will receive protections. |
Clearinghouse, April 2026; cites Electric Disconnections; State Rules and Regulations.
Rule text read, 2 October 2026: Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 515-3-2-.01 to .06 (residential electric and gas utility service disconnections), esp. 515-3-2-.04. Georgia bars residential disconnection between Nov 15 and Mar 15 only for customers who agree in writing to a payment plan and when the forecast low is under 32 F. Electric utilities also may not disconnect when a National Weather Service heat advisory or warning covers the meter county. A serious-illness statement holds disconnection up to one month, renewable once. Notice is 5 days written. Quote: “a utility shall not discontinue service to a residential customer for an unpaid bill between November 15 and March 15”. Source: text of the rule (Cornell LII (also read .01, .02, .03, .05, .06; subject page https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/georgia/department-515/chapter-515-3/subject-515-3-2)).
| Point | Georgia: Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 515-3-2-.01 to .06 (residential electric and gas utility service disconnections), esp. 515-3-2-.04 |
|---|---|
| Winter / cold | 515-3-2-.04(1): between Nov 15 and Mar 15 a utility may not discontinue residential service for an unpaid bill if the customer agrees in writing to pay the past-due balance in equal installments (ending before Oct 15) and to pay current bills on time, and the forecast local low for the 24 hours from 8:00 A.M. on the disconnection date is below 32 F. So protection is conditional on the payment agreement. |
| Heat | 515-3-2-.04(2): an electric utility may not discontinue residential service for an unpaid bill if, before 8:00 A.M. on the scheduled day, an NWS Heat Advisory or Excessive Heat Warning is in effect or forecast for the county of the meter. No set summer date range. |
| Who is protected | 515-3-2-.03: no discontinuance for nonpayment if a customer has a serious illness that would be aggravated, customer notifies utility in writing (or orally then in writing within 10 days) and within 10 days gives a written statement from a physician, county board of health, hospital or clinic. Disconnection held in abeyance for the shorter of the illness or one month, renewable once. Disputes may go to the Commission. |
| Notice | 515-3-2-.02: written notice delivered at least 5 days before disconnection to service address (or guarantor address), with stated contents; good-faith personal contact (phone, certified mail, etc.) at least 2 days before; disconnection date must be a business day; unpaid bill must be at least 45 days old (.01). Multi-family tenants: 5 days written notice, personally served or posted (.05). |
| Payment plan | The only installment arrangement found is the written agreement tied to the Nov 15 - Mar 15 protection in .04(1); no general deferred-payment rule in the sections read. |
| Who the rule covers | Subject 515-3-2 title says residential electric and gas utility service disconnections; rules refer to a utility or electric utility. Co-op/muni treatment not stated in the text read. Note: 515-3-3 is the gas-only subject, not electric. |
| Complaints | 515-3-2-.06: in a disputed bill, after remedies with the utility fail, customer may ask the Georgia PSC in writing (or orally then in writing) to investigate before termination, within 10 days of the disputed bill date; late charges refunded if not owed. PSC phone not read this session. |
Did not read PSC consumer pages, utility tariffs, co-op or municipal rules, or O.C.G.A. 46-4-150 and related statutes cited in the notes.
Paraphrase, not legal advice. Rules change; see the shutoff rules guide.
LIHEAP in Georgia: money, limits, people helped
| Measure | Georgia | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Funds FY2026 | $96,141,634 = $81,593,761 + $4,513,129 IIJA + $10,034,744 | FY26 table |
| Income limit | Heating, Cooling, & Crisis: 60% State Median Income Weatherization: 200% Federal Poverty Guideline | snapshot 20 Apr 2026 |
| Benefits FY2026 | Heating: $400 minimum, $810 maximum Cooling: $400 minimum, $500 maximum Winter Crisis: $810 Summer Crisis: $500 | snapshot 20 Apr 2026 |
| Helped FY2024 | Heating: 83,520 Cooling: 75,919 Crisis: 10,882 Weatherization: 861 | snapshot 20 Apr 2026 |
| Program dates | Heating: December 1 - July 31 Cooling: April 1 - July 31 Winter Crisis: December 1 - July 31 Summer Crisis: April 1 - July 31 Weatherization: Year-round | snapshot 20 Apr 2026 |
CSV
CSVGeorgia in numbers
- Georgia ranks 41st of 51 on FY26 LIHEAP dollars per household ($24), 14th on households below the poverty line (13.2%) and 29th on low-income energy burden (8.8%).
- Per household below the poverty line (529,884 of them) the FY26 funds come to $181, rank 40th of 51: 9% of a typical year's electricity ($1,928). (even split, not a payment amount)
- 110,053 households got help in FY2022 against 1,057,127 at or below 60% of state median income in the 2022 LEAD file: about 10% (mixed years).
- Average heating benefit FY2022: $482, 25% of that year.
- Heating season: December 1 - July 31. Counted FY2024: heating, cooling, crisis, weatherization.
- Neighbours: FY26 dollars per household run from $14 (Florida) to $30 (Alabama); low-income burden from 8.2% (Florida) to 11.2% (Alabama). Georgia: $24 and 8.8%.
Where Georgia's low-income bills bite hardest
- Highest burden: Cook County 38.0% (2,740 households); Wilkes County 27.7% (1,420 households); Washington County 26.6% (3,150 households); Ben Hill County 19.0% (3,431 households).
- Most low-income households: Fulton County 98,613 (8.3%); Gwinnett County 67,734 (8.0%); DeKalb County 67,392 (7.8%).
158 counties.
Am I likely eligible in Georgia?
Georgia sets its limit at 60% of state median income; no estimate here. Median household income is $74,664.
How heavy is the energy bill in Georgia?
8.8% of income in low-income households, 2.1% overall. Ranking, Georgia prices.
| Group | Count | Georgia detail | Standing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 60% of median income | 1,057,127 households | 8.8% of income; $1,795 a year on $20,303 | rank 29 of 51 |
| All households | 3,946,490 households | 2.1%; $2,039 on $95,392 | rank 38 of 51 |
| Below poverty line | 529,884 households | 13.2% of 4,008,013 | U.S. 12.5%; rank 14 of 51 |
| Home price 2025 | 14.73 ¢/kWh | bill $161 a month at 1,091 kWh | U.S. 17.30 ¢, $152 |
CSV
CSVUtility and state bill programs in Georgia
- Since 1989, the Public Utility Commission (PUC) has mandated that major gas and electric utilities waive their monthly service charge for customers over age 65, who own their homes, and earn less than $12,000 per year.
- Atlanta Gas Light Senior Citizens Discount Program Senior citizens who are 65 years of age or older and have a total annual combined household income of $14,355 or less are eligible for up to a $14 monthly discount on their Atlanta Gas Light...
- Carroll Electric Membership Corporation Senior Citizens Discount Members over the age of 62 may receive a discount of $2.50 per month. To sign up, print an application, get it notarized and mail it or bring it by one of the offices. The application can also be...
- Coweta-Fayette Electric Membership Corporation Senior Citizen Discount Qualifying members certified by the Cooperative will be eligible for a $6.50 waiver off the monthly service charge. To qualify, you must be 65 years of age or older with a total household income of $15,000...
Excerpts, section of 20 Apr 2026. Utilities: Atlanta Gas Light, Canoochee Electric Membership Corporation, Carroll Electric Membership Corporation, Coweta-Fayette Electric Membership Corporation, Flint Energies, Gas South and 7 more.
Georgia on the map
Next to Georgia
Alabama, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee. Most FY26 funds per household: Alabama, $30. Georgia: $24. All 51.
5 steps if you get a shutoff notice in Georgia
- Note the notice date.
- Call the utility (Georgia Public Service Commission sets rules).
- Call 1-877-423-4746 or 211.
- Ask about dates and temperature-based or health protection.
- Unresolved: Georgia Public Service Commission, 404-656-4501.
Sources
Linked above; list on the hub.
Last verified: 2 October 2026. Not legal advice.
Questions
Is LIHEAP money enough for a Georgia bill?
$181 per poor household, 9% of $1,928.
How much LIHEAP money does Georgia get?
$96.1 million in FY2026, $24 per household, rank 41 of 51.
What income limit does Georgia use for LIHEAP?
60% of state median income; median household income $74,664; FY2022 heating standard 192% for four.
How do I apply for LIHEAP in Georgia?
Call 1-877-423-4746. Site: https://dfcs.georgia.gov/low-income-home-energy-assistance-program-li...
Can Georgia utilities cut power in winter or summer?
dates and temperature for cold; dates and temperature for heat. November 15 - March 15 32°F and below
How big is the energy burden in Georgia?
8.8% of income for low-income households, 2.1% for all; $1,795 a year for the first group.
How many Georgia households got energy help?
110,053 in FY2022, 83,520 heating in FY2024, average heating benefit $482.