Help paying your electric bill in Idaho
Idaho got $23.2 million in the HHS table, about $33 for each of its 693,821 households. Income limit 60% of state median income; public line 800-926-2588. Heating help reached 29,251 households in FY2024.
Who to call in Idaho
- Idaho LIHEAP public line800-926-2588
- Idaho Public Utilities Commission208-334-0300 · 800-432-0369 (links checked 2026-10-02)
Shutoff rules and moratoria in Idaho
Idaho: cold weather by dates; hot weather by none listed; health or age needs yes.
| Protection | Idaho |
|---|---|
| Colder months, by date | December 1 - March 31 |
| Health or age needs | A utility will postpone termination of utility service to a residential customer for thirty (30) calendar days from the date of receipt of a written certificate signed by a licensed physician or public health official with medical training. |
Clearinghouse, April 2026; cites Idaho Administrative Code.
Rule text read, 2 October 2026: IDAPA 31.21.01.304, .306, .308, .313 (Customer Relations Rules for Electric, Gas and Water Utilities, Idaho PUC). Idaho bars Dec-Mar shutoffs for residential customers who say they cannot pay and have children, people 62+ or infirm members; a Winter Payment Plan extends protection Nov-Mar. A physician or public-health-official certificate postpones termination 30 days. Utilities must mail 7 days' notice and try personal/phone contact 24 hours before. Quote: “A utility will postpone termination of utility service to a residential customer for thirty (30) calendar days from the date of receipt”. Source: text of the rule (Cornell LII (rules .304, .306, .308, .311, .313 read at same URL pattern)).
| Point | Idaho: IDAPA 31.21.01.304, .306, .308, .313 (Customer Relations Rules for Electric, Gas and Water Utilities, Idaho PUC) |
|---|---|
| Winter / cold | Rule 306: from Dec through Mar no gas/electric utility may terminate or threaten termination of a residential customer who declares inability to pay in full and whose household includes children (18 or under), elderly (62+) or infirm persons. Customers who set up a Winter Payment Plan before Nov 1 are protected Nov through Mar (later enrollment protects from enrollment date). No temperature trigger found. |
| Heat | no season or temperature ban found in the text read |
| Who is protected | Rule 308: utility postpones termination 30 calendar days on receipt of written certificate from licensed physician or public health official with medical training (serious illness/medical emergency); service restored within 24 hours if already off; a second postponement is allowed on a second certificate. Winter rule 306 also covers children, elderly (62+), infirm. |
| Notice | Rule 304: written notice mailed at least 7 calendar days before termination (email only if billed electronically and consented); optional final written notice at least 3 days before; at least 24 hours before termination the utility must diligently try to contact customer in person or by phone. Rule 311: no termination on Fri, Sat, Sun, state holidays or day before a holiday; weekday hours 8-5 (Mon-Thu). |
| Payment plan | Rule 313: utility continues service if customer and utility agree on a reasonable payment arrangement; must be offered by phone/mail/home visit on request; level pay plan of 1 year or more acceptable. Rule 306 Winter Payment Plan payments are one-half of the level-pay amount. |
| Who the rule covers | Rule 306 text refers to 'gas or electric utility'; rule 311/313 refer to 'the utility'. Chapter scope (.001) covers utilities generally; co-op/muni coverage not stated in text read. |
| Complaints | Idaho PUC (commission page for complaint not read this session in rule text; complaint rule .4xx not read). |
Did not read rules .302-.303 (grounds), .305, .307, .309-.312, complaint procedure rule or utility tariffs; no co-op/muni scope text read.
Paraphrase, not legal advice. Rules change; see the shutoff rules guide.
LIHEAP in Idaho: money, limits, people helped
| Measure | Idaho | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Funds FY2026 | $23,183,784 = $20,298,100 + $528,420 IIJA + $2,357,264 | FY26 table |
| Income limit | Heating, Crisis: 60% State Median Income; (8+ household members at 150% Federal Poverty Level) Weatherization: 200% Federal Poverty Level | snapshot 20 Apr 2026 |
| Benefits FY2026 | Heating: $122 minimum, $1,285 maximum Crisis: $1,500 maximum | snapshot 20 Apr 2026 |
| Helped FY2024 | Heating: 29,251 Crisis:10,019 Weatherization: 393 | snapshot 20 Apr 2026 |
| Program dates | Heating: October 1 - March 31 Crisis: Year-round Weatherization: Year-round | snapshot 20 Apr 2026 |
CSV
CSVIdaho in numbers
- Idaho ranks 27th of 51 on FY26 LIHEAP dollars per household ($33), 37th on households below the poverty line (10.6%) and 38th on low-income energy burden (8.0%).
- Per household below the poverty line (73,311 of them) the FY26 funds come to $316, rank 23rd of 51: 24% of a typical year's electricity ($1,324). (even split, not a payment amount)
- 41,052 households got help in FY2022 against 146,306 at or below 60% of state median income in the 2022 LEAD file: about 28% (mixed years).
- Average heating benefit FY2022: $357, 27% of that year.
- Heating season: October 1 - March 31. Counted FY2024: heating, crisis, weatherization.
- Neighbours: FY26 dollars per household run from $15 (Nevada) to $52 (Montana); low-income burden from 5.0% (Washington) to 10.3% (Montana). Idaho: $33 and 8.0%.
Where Idaho's low-income bills bite hardest
- Highest burden: Oneida County 20.3% (463 households); Boundary County 15.4% (1,355 households); Franklin County 15.3% (1,071 households); Benewah County 14.8% (1,144 households).
- Most low-income households: Ada County 29,604 (6.5%); Canyon County 17,802 (7.5%); Kootenai County 13,108 (7.7%).
42 counties.
Am I likely eligible in Idaho?
Idaho sets its limit at 60% of state median income; no estimate here. Median household income is $74,636.
How heavy is the energy bill in Idaho?
8.0% of income in low-income households, 2.2% overall. Ranking, Idaho prices.
| Group | Count | Idaho detail | Standing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 60% of median income | 146,306 households | 8.0% of income; $1,529 a year on $19,013 | rank 38 of 51 |
| All households | 675,323 households | 2.2%; $1,924 on $86,883 | rank 35 of 51 |
| Below poverty line | 73,311 households | 10.6% of 693,821 | U.S. 12.5%; rank 37 of 51 |
| Home price 2025 | 11.82 ¢/kWh | bill $110 a month at 933 kWh | U.S. 17.30 ¢, $152 |
CSV
CSVUtility and state bill programs in Idaho
None listed for Idaho in the snapshot of 20 Apr 2026; ask the utility.
Idaho on the map
Next to Idaho
Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming. Most FY26 funds per household: Montana, $52. Idaho: $33. All 51.
5 steps if you get a shutoff notice in Idaho
- Note the notice date.
- Call the utility (Idaho Public Utilities Commission sets rules).
- Call 800-926-2588 or 211.
- Ask about dates-based or health protection.
- Unresolved: Idaho Public Utilities Commission, 208-334-0300.
Sources
Linked above; list on the hub.
Last verified: 2 October 2026. Not legal advice.
Questions
What income limit does Idaho use for LIHEAP?
60% of state median income; median household income $74,636; FY2022 heating standard 181% for four.
How do I apply for LIHEAP in Idaho?
Call 800-926-2588.
Can Idaho utilities cut power in winter or summer?
dates for cold; none listed for heat. December 1 - March 31
How big is the energy burden in Idaho?
8.0% of income for low-income households, 2.2% for all; $1,529 a year for the first group.
How many Idaho households got energy help?
41,052 in FY2022, 29,251 heating in FY2024, average heating benefit $357.
Is LIHEAP money enough for a Idaho bill?
$316 per poor household, 24% of $1,324.
How much LIHEAP money does Idaho get?
$23.2 million in FY2026, $33 per household, rank 27 of 51.