Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program

• Missouri residents with incomes at or below 175 percent of the federal poverty level can get help to pay their electric bills through the federally funded Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. The least amount of heating aid given through LIHEAP is $60, and the most help Missouri residents can get from the program is $600. During warmer months, Missouri residents can get as much as $300 in one-time cooling grant assistance through the program.
  
  

Low Income Rate Assistance

• Low-income rate assistance is provided through several utility companies like Ameren Missouri, Empire District Electric Company and Independence Power and Light. Through the program, customers receive credits to help reduce their electric bills. Handicapped persons and people 60 years old and up can also get their past due electric bill late fees dismissed through the Empire District Electric Programs low-income rate assistance plan. Independence Power and Light lets senior citizens and disabled people take 50 percent off their electric bills.
  
  

Gift of Warmth

• Gift of Warmth is administered by The Salvation Army. Households with gross incomes below 200 percent of the federal poverty level guidelines are eligible to receive the assistance. One-time grants are awarded to qualifying residents; the maximum award granted is $200 as of 2011. Those needing assistance can apply for Gift of Warmth grants at their local Salvation Army.
  
  

Heat Share

• If people living in Missouri experience financial emergencies due to the birth of a child or the death of a family member, they can get help to pay their electric bills through Heat Share. Priority assistance is given to seniors, disabled persons and people who have dependent children living with them. Grants are also awarded to help people repair equipment like furnaces, air conditioners and hot water heaters.
  
  

Utility Company Rebate Programs

• Utility companies in Missouri also give out utility rebates that people can use to purchase new equipment to help lower their electric bills. For example, $750 Power-On Reliability Improvement rebates are given out by Ameren. The rebates cover the cost of moving home electrical wire service to underground cables. Additionally, Empire District Electric provides $500 rebates to customers so they can purchase energy saving air conditioners and heat pumps.