Electric Bill Spiked This Summer — How to Cover It

Your air conditioner has been running non-stop for weeks. You knew the bill was going to be high — but when the statement landed, the number still knocked you back.

You are not alone. American households are projected to spend about $792 on summer cooling costs in 2026, up more than 10 percent from last year, according to the National Energy Assistance Directors Association. Higher electricity rates and more intense heat are both pushing bills up, and millions of families are struggling to keep up.

If you cannot pay this month's electric bill, here is what to do — without judgment and without panic.

Step One: Call Your Utility Before the Due Date

This is the single most important step — and most people skip it because they feel embarrassed or assume it won't help. Call before the due date. Utilities handle hardship calls every day and have options they do not advertise on the bill.

When you call, ask specifically for:

A payment extension — most utilities will push the due date 10 to 30 days at no charge for a first-time request.
A payment plan — if you cannot pay the full balance, many utilities will spread the past-due amount over 3 to 6 months added to future bills.
Budget billing — this averages your annual usage into equal monthly payments, eliminating the seasonal spikes that make summer and winter bills unpredictable.

In most states, utilities are legally required to offer a payment arrangement before disconnecting service. Ask the billing department directly: "What payment arrangement options do you have?" Do not wait for a shutoff notice to make this call.

Step Two: Apply for LIHEAP Cooling Assistance

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federal program that helps low- and moderate-income households with energy costs. Most people associate it with winter heating help, but summer cooling assistance is offered in most states as well.

Eligibility is income-based, and funds are distributed on a first-come basis — they do run out. Find your state LIHEAP contact through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services at liheap.acf.hhs.gov and apply as soon as you know you will have trouble paying.

Many local community action agencies, churches, and nonprofit organizations also maintain small emergency utility funds that do not require LIHEAP eligibility.

Step Three: Ask About Your Utility's Own Hardship Programs

Beyond LIHEAP, many large utilities run their own low-income rate programs and crisis bill assistance funds. These are separate from LIHEAP and sometimes faster to access. When you call, ask specifically:

"Do you have a low-income rate discount program I could apply for?"
"Do you have a crisis assistance fund for customers facing shutoff?"
"Can I get a one-time bill credit through a hardship program?"

Utility hardship programs vary by company and state, but they exist far more often than customers know. The worst they can say is no.

Step Four: If You Still Have a Gap, Consider a Small Personal Loan

If your utility cannot defer enough of the balance, or if you are dealing with several overdue bills at once, a small personal loan can give you the lump sum to get current — with a fixed monthly payment you can plan around.

A personal loan for $500 to $2,000 to cover a utility bill is often cheaper than the cascade of costs that follows a shutoff. Reconnecting service after disconnection typically requires:

Paying the full past-due balance
A reconnection fee of $75 to $250 depending on your utility
A new security deposit — often equal to two months of estimated usage

That reconnection total can exceed what a short-term personal loan would cost in interest. For borrowers with limited or damaged credit, some lenders specialize in smaller emergency loans with fast funding. Visit /get-started to see options that match your situation.

Step Five: Reduce Usage to Keep Next Month Lower

While you are figuring out how to pay this bill, a few low-effort steps can cut your next one:

Set the thermostat to 78°F when you are home. The Department of Energy estimates that each degree below 78°F adds roughly 6 to 8 percent to cooling costs.
Close blinds and curtains on south- and west-facing windows during peak afternoon heat — this alone can reduce solar heat gain by 33 percent, according to the DOE.
Run the dishwasher, washing machine, and dryer at night, when your home is cooler and the cooling load is lower.
Check window and door seals. A $10 weatherstripping repair can stop cooled air from escaping.

None of this solves this month's bill — but preventing next month from being equally brutal matters too.

What If My Power Is Already Shut Off?

If you have already received a shutoff notice or service has been disconnected, act immediately:

Call the utility first. A shutoff notice starts a clock; it does not mean the power is cut today. Even after disconnection, utilities will often reconnect on the same day if you bring the account current before 5 p.m.
Contact your state public utility commission. Some states require utilities to accept a partial payment — sometimes as little as 50 percent of the past-due balance — to stop a shutoff.
Check for medical or senior protections. Many states prohibit summer shutoffs for households with elderly members or medically vulnerable residents. Ask your utility and your state's public utility commission.
Look into emergency loan options. Visit /get-started to see whether you qualify for same-day or next-day funding that could bring the account current.

What to Do Next

Start with a phone call to your utility's billing department — payment extensions and arrangements are common, fast, and free. Then check LIHEAP and any utility hardship programs. If you still have a gap, visit /get-started to compare emergency loan options for your situation, including options built for borrowers with limited or imperfect credit.