Program information checked October 6, 2026. This independent guide does not accept applications or award benefits.
Get help paying a St. Louis utility bill
Start with your service address: St. Louis city and St. Louis County use different intake routes. The Missouri Department of Social Services (DSS) offers LIHEAP energy assistance and crisis help through contracted agencies. Contact your utility at the same time if you have a disconnect notice.
Find the right local contact
St. Louis city
The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis lists its city utility-assistance office at 1408 N. Kingshighway Boulevard. Call 314-615-3600.
St. Louis County
Contact the Community Action Agency of St. Louis County at 314-863-0015. Its main office is at 2709 Woodson Road, Overland. Ask about energy-assistance intake for your address.
Additional county help
The Urban League also lists a county office at 8960 Jennings Station Road. Call 314-388-9840 to ask about utility-assistance availability.
Outside these areas
Use Missouri DSS’s contracted-agency directory, linked from its LIHEAP page. Tell the intake worker your county and ZIP code rather than relying on the city name in your mailing address.
Understand LIHEAP and crisis assistance
DSS lists a one-time Energy Assistance payment for heating or cooling costs from October through May. Its Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP) addresses qualifying disconnect notices and fuel emergencies. At this review, DSS lists winter ECIP up to $800 from November through May and summer ECIP up to $300 from June through September, subject to funding.
Applicants must meet Missouri’s income and other eligibility requirements. DSS lists a $3,000 limit for bank accounts, retirement accounts, or investments. Use the official instructions or ask the contracted agency to assess your situation rather than assuming a bill balance alone makes you eligible.
Submit the state application and required documents through the DSS route or your contracted agency. DSS estimates about 30 business days for review of a complete non-crisis application. Tell the agency if your case involves a disconnect deadline.
Check help tied to your utility
Heat Up St. Louis publishes city, county, and partner-agency routes. Its notice checked October 6 says it is helping with Ameren bills and directs Spire customers to partner agencies with LIHEAP funds. Check that notice before applying because availability changes. Its resource hotline is 314-241-0001.
For natural gas, Spire’s assistance page describes DollarHelp and other options. It directs applicants to seek ECIP first and says DollarHelp pledges depend on available funding. Ask Spire which agency serves your address and whether a payment arrangement can bridge the application period.
Use this call checklist for a shutoff notice
- Have the bill, account number, notice, and disconnect date in front of you.
- Ask the utility for the amount and deadline required to keep service or restore it.
- Tell the assistance agency about the notice and any pending applications.
- Record the worker’s name, reference number, and follow-up instructions. Ask the utility to confirm any disconnection hold.
Do not send identity or income records through this website. Use the agency’s designated submission route and keep a copy. For water or sewer debt, contact the provider on that bill; do not assume an energy-assistance award covers it.
Separate immediate bills from efficiency work
Our St. Louis weatherization guide discusses home-efficiency assistance. Read how weatherization works before requesting a particular improvement. For ongoing planning, see managing utility bills and our utility assistance FAQs.
Frequently asked questions
Should I call the city or county office?
Use your residence’s jurisdiction. The Urban League lists a St. Louis city office and a separate county office. County residents can also contact the Community Action Agency of St. Louis County.
Does submitting an application stop disconnection?
Do not assume that it does. Contact your utility about the deadline and ask it to confirm any hold or payment arrangement.
Can I use the energy application for a water bill?
Ask the water or sewer provider about its assistance options. Do not assume LIHEAP energy assistance pays a separate water or sewer balance.
Call the office that serves your address
Use the city or county contact above and check Missouri’s current LIHEAP instructions. Tell the agency about any disconnection date when you make contact.