Help paying your electric bill in Mississippi
Mississippi got $36.7 million in the HHS table, about $32 for each of its 1,131,760 households. Income limit 60% of state median income; public line 1-800-421-0762. Heating help reached 32,473 households in FY2024.
Who to call in Mississippi
- Mississippi LIHEAP public line1-800-421-0762
- State program sitemdhs.ms.gov/community-services
- Mississippi Public Service Commission800-356-6428 · 800-356-6430 · 800-356-6429 · 601-961-5434 · psc.ms.gov · complaint form (links checked 2026-10-02)
How heavy is the energy bill in Mississippi?
12.4% of income in low-income households, 3.0% overall. Ranking, Mississippi prices.
| Group | Count | Mississippi detail | Standing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 60% of median income | 326,260 households | 12.4% of income; $1,865 a year on $15,031 | rank 3 of 51 |
| All households | 1,121,269 households | 3.0%; $2,116 on $70,199 | rank 7 of 51 |
| Below poverty line | 217,755 households | 19.2% of 1,131,760 | U.S. 12.5%; rank 1 of 51 |
| Home price 2025 | 14.03 ¢/kWh | bill $166 a month at 1,183 kWh | U.S. 17.30 ¢, $152 |
CSV
CSVWhere Mississippi's low-income bills bite hardest
- Highest burden: Holmes County 18.9% (2,928 households); Coahoma County 17.4% (3,667 households); Yazoo County 17.0% (3,178 households); Attala County 15.8% (2,316 households).
- Most low-income households: Hinds County 27,242 (12.4%); Harrison County 20,961 (10.9%); Jackson County 13,736 (10.5%).
81 counties.
Mississippi in numbers
- Mississippi ranks 30th of 51 on FY26 LIHEAP dollars per household ($32), 1st on households below the poverty line (19.2%) and 3rd on low-income energy burden (12.4%).
- Per household below the poverty line (217,755 of them) the FY26 funds come to $169, rank 44th of 51: 8% of a typical year's electricity ($1,992). (even split, not a payment amount)
- 45,436 households got help in FY2022 against 326,260 at or below 60% of state median income in the 2022 LEAD file: about 14% (mixed years).
- Average heating benefit FY2022: $924, 46% of that year.
- Heating season: October 1 - April 30. Counted FY2024: heating, cooling.
- Neighbours: FY26 dollars per household run from $25 (Tennessee) to $32 (Louisiana); low-income burden from 9.1% (Tennessee) to 11.2% (Alabama). Mississippi: $32 and 12.4%.
LIHEAP in Mississippi: money, limits, people helped
| Measure | Mississippi | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Funds FY2026 | $36,723,579 = $32,144,630 + $839,436 IIJA + $3,739,513 | FY26 table |
| Income limit | Heating, Cooling, and Crisis: 60% State Median Income Weatherization: 200% Federal Poverty Guidelines | snapshot 20 Apr 2026 |
| Benefits FY2026 | Heating and Cooling: $1 minimum, $1,500 maximum Crisis: $1,500 maximum Weatherization: $12,000 maximum | snapshot 20 Apr 2026 |
| Helped FY2024 | Heating: 32,473 Cooling: 26,771 Year-round Crisis: 3,460 | snapshot 20 Apr 2026 |
| Program dates | Heating: October 1 - April 30 Cooling: May 1 - September 30 Crisis: Year-round Weatherization: Year-round | snapshot 20 Apr 2026 |
CSV
CSVAm I likely eligible in Mississippi?
Mississippi sets its limit at 60% of state median income; no estimate here. Median household income is $54,915.
Shutoff rules and moratoria in Mississippi
Mississippi: cold weather by dates and temperature; hot weather by temperature; health or age needs yes.
| Protection | Mississippi |
|---|---|
| Colder months, by date | December 1 - March 31 |
| Cold temperature | No disconnects of electric or natural gas on days where a freeze warning is in effect. |
| Hot temperature | No electric disconnects when there is an excessive heat warning. |
| Health or age needs | "[Sixty] day disconnect extension with a written note from a medical doctor that certifies that disconnection would create a life threatening situation." |
Clearinghouse, April 2026; cites PSC Bill of Rights; Mississippi Public Utility Rules (mid-winter rule).
Rule text read, 2 October 2026: Miss. Admin. Code Title 39, Part III (PSC Rules and Regulations Governing Public Utility Service), Rules 8.100, 8.105, 8.120, 8.125 (with Rule 1.100). Mississippi PSC rules require 5 days written notice before a nonpayment shutoff. Electric service cannot be cut on a day with an NWS freeze warning or Excessive Heat Warning for the county (as of 8 a.m.). A December-March mid-winter plan protects hardship customers who pay on a set schedule, and a doctor-certified life-threatening situation bars disconnection for 60 days. Quote: “a freeze warning has been issued by the National Weather Service for the county of the scheduled disconnection”. Source: text of the rule (commission page (official PSC PDF of the Rules)).
| Point | Mississippi: Miss. Admin. Code Title 39, Part III (PSC Rules and Regulations Governing Public Utility Service), Rules 8.100, 8.105, 8.120, 8.125 (with Rule 1.100) |
|---|---|
| Winter / cold | Mid-winter rule (Rule 8.120): Dec, Jan, Feb and Mar, a residential electric or gas customer unable to pay in full because of extreme financial difficulty can avoid disconnection by certifying the hardship in writing and agreeing to an extended payment plan (pay pre-Nov 11 balance, then 133% of levelized bill until caught up). Separately, Rule 8.125(3)(a): no electric/gas disconnection for nonpayment if a National Weather Service freeze warning is in effect for the county as of 8:00 a.m. on the scheduled day (not limited to Dec-Mar in the text read). |
| Heat | Rule 8.125(3)(b): no electric disconnection for nonpayment if an NWS Excessive Heat Warning is in effect for the county as of 8:00 a.m. on the scheduled disconnection day. |
| Who is protected | Rule 8.125(1): 60-day bar on disconnection for nonpayment once the utility gets written notice from a Mississippi (or adjoining-state) licensed medical doctor that disconnection would create a life-threatening situation for a permanent household resident. Rule 8.120(3): winter physician-certified medical emergency also blocks termination Dec-Mar. Rule 8.105(2): no disconnection if LIHEAP approved for the delinquent balance payable within 30 days. |
| Notice | At least 5 days written notice, stating a date on or after which discontinuance may occur; may be given by U.S. Mail to the known address (8.100(1), 8.110). No residential nonpayment disconnection on Saturday, Sunday or utility-observed holiday unless the utility is open to accept payment and restore service (8.100(2)). |
| Payment plan | Rule 8.105(1): residential customers have the right to negotiate a delayed payment plan with the electric or gas company under the utility's terms and conditions. Mid-winter plan terms in 8.120. |
| Who the rule covers | Rule 1.100: every public utility as defined in Miss. Code 77-3-3 over which the Commission has jurisdiction, to the extent of that jurisdiction. Treatment of co-ops/munis not read. |
| Complaints | Mississippi Public Service Commission administrative complaint process (commission rights page, https://psc.ms.gov/exec-sec/rights, read this session). No phone number read. |
Rules compiled effective 2/10/2012 (later amendments not checked); utility tariffs, co-op/municipal treatment and Rule 6 customer-relations text not read.
Paraphrase, not legal advice. Rules change; see the shutoff rules guide.
Utility and state bill programs in Mississippi
- Mississippi Power Monthly base charge is waived ($0.59 per day) for eligible low-income and elderly customers receiving SSI or TANF. 1-800-532-1502
- Emergency Charitable Assistance Please note these charitable funds are last resort emergency funds with limited resources and limited times of operation.
- Atmos Energy Sharing the Warmth Customer donations combine with company donations to help people pay their gas bills. The program is administered by the Salvation Army in MS and all donations go directly to Atmos customers in need that meet...
- Columbus Light And Water Share One - Helping Hands Funds will be used for families who show a temporary need because of job loss or other demonstrated inability to pay their utility bill. Applicants pay history will be reviewed prior to receipt of...
Excerpts, section of 20 Apr 2026. Utilities: Atmos Energy, Columbus Light & Water, Entergy, Mississippi Power, Mississippi Valley Gas, Tupelo Water & Light.
Next to Mississippi
Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Tennessee. Most FY26 funds per household: Louisiana, $32. Mississippi: $32. All 51.
Mississippi on the map
5 steps if you get a shutoff notice in Mississippi
- Note the notice date.
- Call the utility (Mississippi Public Service Commission sets rules).
- Call 1-800-421-0762 or 211.
- Ask about dates and temperature-based or health protection.
- Unresolved: Mississippi Public Service Commission, 800-356-6428.
Sources
Linked above; list on the hub.
Last verified: 2 October 2026. Not legal advice.
Questions
Can Mississippi utilities cut power in winter or summer?
dates and temperature for cold; temperature for heat. December 1 - March 31 No disconnects of electric or natural gas on days where a freeze warning is in effect.
How big is the energy burden in Mississippi?
12.4% of income for low-income households, 3.0% for all; $1,865 a year for the first group.
How many Mississippi households got energy help?
45,436 in FY2022, 32,473 heating in FY2024, average heating benefit $924.
Is LIHEAP money enough for a Mississippi bill?
$169 per poor household, 8% of $1,992.
How much LIHEAP money does Mississippi get?
$36.7 million in FY2026, $32 per household, rank 30 of 51.
What income limit does Mississippi use for LIHEAP?
60% of state median income; median household income $54,915; FY2022 heating standard 156% for four.
How do I apply for LIHEAP in Mississippi?
Call 1-800-421-0762. Site: www.mdhs.ms.gov/community-services