Energy Services is designed to assist in meeting energy needs with low-income households and encouraging consumers to control energy costs through energy education.
What we offer
TCOG's Energy Services department includes utility and weatherization services.
Utility Assistance
Utility assistance provides co-payment of utilities and the provision of supportive services in an effort to transition low-income families out of poverty and off of public assistance.
Counties served: Collin, Cooke, Denton, Fannin, Grayson, Hunt, Rockwall
Utility assistance includes the co-payment of utilities for a specific period of time while learning ways to conserve energy. Services also include a case management program with the goal of transitioning families off welfare by providing assistance with the cost of expenses such as education, training and other necessary supplies and supportive services.
Each client situation is evaluated through an application process and the appropriate program service is then determined. Individual goals and objectives are identified as well as techniques for budgeting and energy conservation which will transition the client from poverty and/or address crisis situations.
| Household Size | Maximum Income Level (Per Year)* |
|---|---|
| 1 | $20,385 |
| 2 | $27,465 |
| 3 | $34,545 |
| 4 | $41,625 |
| 5 | $48,705 |
| 6 | $55,785 |
| 7 | $62,865 |
| 8 | $69,945 |
| Families with more than 8 persons | Add $7,080 for each additional person |
| * Subject to change annually. Eligibility for CEAP is calculated at 150% of Federal Poverty Guidelines. Amounts listed above effective January 28, 2022. | |
Applications & Forms
Important Contact Information
- Address
Texoma Council of Governments
ATTN: Energy Services
1117 Gallagher Drive, Suite 200
Sherman, TX 75090- Main Phone
(903) 893-2161 ext. 3541 - Utility Assistance
(903) 893-2161 ext. 3530 - Weatherization Assistance
- Email Address
[email protected] - Utility Assistance
[email protected] - Weatherization Assistance
- Apply Online
- To complete an application online, please visit this link. To print and complete an application by mail, download an application.
Download Center
Important
Incomplete applications or missing documentation will delay application process.
Required Documentation
Proof of income for all household members over the age of 18 for the previous thirty (30) days.
Provide the income that applies to your household.
- If paid weekly, four (4) current check stubs
- If paid bi-weekly, two (2) current check stubs
- If paid monthly, one (1) current check stub
- Social Security Award Letter for current year
- Retirement Income Letter for current year
- VA award letter for current year
- TANF printout for previous thirty (30) days
- Child Support Letter (showing how much you receive on a monthly basis)
- Unemployment printout (showing how much you have received in the past 30 days)
- Documentation of any other income received in your household for the past thirty days
- Electricity bill
- Gas bill
- Propane bill
- US Passport
- US American Indian or Alaska Native, tribal enrollment or membership card with photo
- Birth Certificate or Birth Record
- Certificate of Naturalization
- Drivers License or Texas ID
- US Military or Military Dependent ID
- Government Employee ID (City, County, State or Federal)
- Concealed Handgun
All pages (front and back) of your current utility bills.
Proof of Citizenship for ALL household members by providing one (1) of the following documents:
Proof of Identity for Adult (18 and older) household members by providing one (1) form of identification:
Meet the Team
Energy Services
Program Staff
Frequently Asked Questions
1How do I apply for services?
We want to make the process for you as simple as possible, so we have made the application available for submission entirely online. Just visit our application section to access. If you have any additional questions, feel free to call our office at 903-813-3541.
2How do you determine if I am eligible for assistance?
Initial eligibility is based on the level of household income for all persons 18 years and over.
3How long does it take to process my file?
You will receive a letter in the mail once your application is processed. Processing times may vary based on:
- If the application is complete
- How quickly customers respond to requests for missing documentation
- Verification of account information
- The number of applications received
4What type of verification do I need?
In order to determine eligibility, the following documentation is required:
- Photo ID of all persons living in the household
- Birth certificates of all persons living in the household
- Income documentation for all adults 18 and over living in the household (check stubs, Social Security award letter, VA award letter, etc.)
- TANF documentation
- Current gas, propane or electric bill
5Do I have to fill out all of this paperwork?
Please read the instructions in the application packet. Applications will not be processed until ALL documents are received. Incomplete applications will be denied and shredded.
6I do not have a birth certificate or passport. Can I send you a copy of my social security card?
No.
7I do not have a copy of my Social Security award letter. Can I send a copy of last year's award letter or a bank statement as proof of what I received from Social Security?
No. We cannot process an application without an award letter for the current year. A bank statement is not acceptable. Contact the Social Security Administration to request an award letter.
8How does TCOG decide how much will be paid to my utility company?
When you apply for assistance, you give us permission to obtain your utility records for the past year. For households on fixed income (Social Security, SSI, etc.), the payments are based on your billing history for that month in the previous year, up to the allowable dollar limit.
9Why did I get a disconnect notice if TCOG made a pledge to pay my utility bill?
Utility companies usually send disconnect notices automatically; those are in no way affected by what we are able to pledge on your account. After we make a pledge to the utility company, we have 30-45 days to send the company a check. They will not disconnect you unless you owe them fees that have not been paid, such as late fees, disconnect fees or reconnect fees, or if you get a returned check for a payment you previously made. We cannot pledge or pay any of those items. Also, if you receive a new bill after we make our pledge we can’t be responsible for that amount. Talk to your case manager at the time of application to be certain you understand which items will be paid.
10Why do I have a balance forward on my new utility bill if TCOG paid last month's bill?
The utility company has either not received or processed our check yet (same as above). Some utility companies take longer to process our payments than regular payments from their customers. The payment will show up on your next bill. You are responsible for any unpaid balances.
11I have a disconnection notice and I will be shut-off today. What should I do?
We do not have emergency utility assistance. We recommend that you contact the utility company and ask for an extension. It can take approximately 8 weeks to process an application.
12I have left several telephone messages. Why hasn't anyone returned my call?
Due to the high volume of phone calls we receive it can take 24-48 hours for someone to return your call. Leaving several messages in one day can delay this process.
13Did you get my fax?
We do not accept applications by fax.
14Can I email my application to you?
Visit our application section to apply online. Applications can also be mailed to:
TCOG Energy Services
1117 Gallagher Drive, Suite 200
Sherman, TX 75090
TCOG Energy Services
1117 Gallagher Drive, Suite 200
Sherman, TX 75090
15Do I have to make an appointment to talk with someone about my current situation?
Yes. Clients are seen by appointment only.
16If I am denied assistance, what should I do?
Appeal information is located on the denial letter you received in the mail.
17Can I apply for utility assistance every year?
Yes, a household can apply once a year for utility assistance.
18What happens if I move or change utility companies? Do I still get assistance?
Please notify us immediately if you have a change of address or change utility companies.
Customer Acknowledgement
- The Energy Services Program is federally-funded and administered by TCOG. Services are not emergency assistance or an entitlement program.
- Assistance is subject to availability of funds. Submitting an application is not a guarantee of assistance.
- The average time to process an application for utility assistance is approximately 8 weeks.
- Households must meet 2023 Federal Income Guidelines and live in one of the TCOG service areas. For a complete list of counties served visit: www.tcog.com/energy-services/#energy.
- TCOG will not secure any financial assistance or make payments until the application process is completed.
- Applicants are fully responsible any bill(s) and fees accrued before, during and after the application and eligibility determination process. Nonpayment of a bill can result in an interruption of services or disconnection.
- TCOG will not pay any late fees, deposits, reconnect charges. Applicants/clients are responsible paying fees associated with accounts.
- Utility Assistance provides assistance for electric, gas and propane bills only.
- Fees for text messages received from TCOG are the responsibility of the applicant/client.
- Client are responsible for notifying TCOG Energy Services of changes that could affect service delivery or payment to an account including but not limited to: change of account number, change of utility provider, change of address, telephone number or email address.