Financial Assistance Programs Title with Image of a light bulb

The resources below are available to low-income members who are in need of payment assistance. Members will need to contact the assisting organizations directly. Once you are approved, the assisting organization will send the funds directly to Nueces Electric Cooperative. NEC does not have payment plans, so please make assistance arrangements in advance with the below organizations. 

Public Utility Commission.

1701 N. Congress Ave

P.O. Box 13326

Austin, TX 78711

512.936.7000

The LITE-UP TEXAS program is designed to help qualified low-income individuals reduce the monthly cost of electric service. The program will provide discounts to eligible customers during May, June, July and August electric bills. Please visit the link above or call Lite-Up Texas for full program details.

Texas Department of Housing: Energy Assistance Section.

P.O. Box 13941

Austin, TX 78711

512.475.3800

The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs works with local community action agencies to administer and distribute funds from the federal government. The Energy Assistance Section of the Texas Department administers the two federal programs, known as Weatherization and the Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP), by working with agencies and non-profits at the local county level. The local non-profits oversee the application intake process, income verification, and all other client services are handled by the local agencies.

Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program: The so called CEAP program was designed to provide utility bill assistance to low income households in meeting their immediate energy needs and helping them pay their bills. The program will also encourage consumers to control energy costs for years to come through energy education. This can help them lower their bills. However, the main goal of the program is to provide financial assistance, and at the end of the the day the Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) is a utility bill assistance program. The CEAP program involves integration of all federal government LIHEAP programs, thereby enhancing efficiency and effectiveness of services offered by Texas that are provided to clients. This allows allows for the eliminating of duplication of services. Click here for more information or to apply or dial (877) 399-8939, or contact your local community action agency.

The Weatherization Assistance Program: This is the second program that is run by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs. It was created for Low to Moderate Income Persons (WAP), and it was designed to promote energy conservation in the homes of qualified low income Texans. The weatherization program provides for the free energy-related improvements to apartments and homes, and it will also provide for the education of consumers about energy conservation programs which will help people lower their utility bills. The program goal is to reduce the energy bills and costs of low income households through energy efficiency. Click here for more information or dial (888) 606-8889 to apply for the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs weatherization program.

Texas Utility Help: Need help paying your electric bill? Texas Utility Help is here for you. Texas Utility Help can give financial assistance to qualified Texas homeowners and renters with low income. Eligible expenses include electricity, gas, propane, water, and wastewater. If you, like many today, find yourself unable to catch up with your electric bill apply for help today. The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs has added to their budget to help support efforts of the Texas Utility Help program to support homeowners and renters who need help paying for their utilities. To qualify, you must be at or below 150% of the federal poverty income guidelines. At least one person in the household must be a United States citizen or qualified immigrant. The money can be used to pay off all past-due balances and future payments. For more information, call 855-566-2057 or visit their website.

The Texas Rent Relief Program: COVID-19 has affected Texans across the state. This program has emergency funds available to help Texas renters pay rent and utility bills (including past due rent and utilities). The Texas Rent Relief Program can help renters with the following costs starting as far back as March 13, 2020. If you need assistance completing an application, their customer service staff can complete the application with you by phone by calling 1-833-9TX-RENT (1-833-989-7368).

Bee, Live Oak, Refugio and Kleberg Counties:

Brooks, Jim Wells, and Kenedy Counties:

Duval, Jim Hogg, Starr & Zapata Counties:

Nueces County:

The typical member uses more electricity in some months than in others.  This means electric service bills will be higher in some months than in other months.  For the convenience of our members, Nueces Electric Cooperative, Inc. (NEC) will arrange for members to pay a level billing for each month rather than the standard fluctuating bill.  This arrangement is called “Equal Payment Plan”.  The conditions necessary for entering into an Equal Payment Plan are as follows:

1. Eligibility:  Any NEC member who has received service on an account for twelve (12) months or more will be eligible with these stipulations:
   1. The member must not be delinquent on any account, nor can they have been late on more than two (2) payments within the last twelve (12) month period;
   2. The eligible accounts are residential and small commercial under 35 kW demand;
   3. The member must be able to demonstrate an acceptable credit record;
   4. Account must have a minimum of twelve (12) month usage history.
2. Calculation of Bill:  The immediate past twelve (12) electric bills shall be totaled and divided by twelve (12) to determine the monthly amount to be paid (average amount billed over the twelve months).  This calculation is to allow for any variation in usage, changes in wholesale power costs and increases in fuel costs.  The amount may be increased due to rate increases.
3. Bill:  Member’s meter will be read at the normal meter reading time.  The monthly actual bill will be calculated under the appropriate rate schedule.  Equal Payment Plan members will receive a bill stating the actual usage and costs, but will be billed the Equal Payment amount as agreed.  The bill will also provide the customer with the current cumulative debit or credit balance of the Equal Payment Plan program. 
4. Late Payment:  The Equal Payment Plan billed amount is due by the designated Due Date on the bill. If the Due Date falls on a holiday or weekend, the Due Date for payment purposes shall be the next working day after the Due Date.  If payment of the Equal Payment Plan monthly amount is not made each month when due, the Cooperative reserves the right to place the consumer on normal billing with all balances due and payable in accordance with NEC’s Tariff. 
5. Discontinuation of Service:  If the member moves, or for other reason discontinues electric service, the total amount owed to the Cooperative according to the actual billing shall become due and payable immediately.
6. Contract Adjustment or Cancellation:  The Equal Payment Plan contract may be canceled by either the member or the Cooperative upon thirty (30) days written notice, and the Cooperative’s normal billing and payment procedures will then apply.  Significant changes in a member’s service requirement may require them to re-establish a twelve (12) month billing history on the account to qualify for the program.

Deposits:  The Cooperative may require a deposit from members entering the Equal Payment Plan; such deposit will not exceed an amount equivalent to one-sixth (1/6) of the estimated annual billing.  The Cooperative may retain this deposit for the duration of the member’s continued billing under the Equal Payment Plan; however, the Cooperative will pay interest on the deposit as provided in the Terms and Conditions of NEC’s Tariff.  The deposit and interest will be refunded to the member after any twelve (12) month period where they have no late or partial payments. 

Please follow the link complete the form below and an NEC Member Care Representative will contact you with your Equal Payment Plan details. 

Equal Payment Plan Application