Utility Assistance Online is an independent informational resource. We are not affiliated with Georgia Power, the Georgia Public Service Commission, or any government agency. For official program details, visit the agency websites linked throughout this guide.
What is Georgia Power utility assistance?
Georgia Power utility assistance is a collection of bill-reduction and energy-efficiency programs available to income-qualifying residential customers in Georgia. These programs include a $33.50 monthly bill discount, free home weatherization upgrades through EASE, emergency bill-payment help through Project SHARE, and access to Georgia’s federally funded LIHEAP heating and cooling aid. Each program has its own income limits, application process, and eligibility criteria.
A single unexpected expense can push a monthly power bill from manageable to overwhelming. Georgia Power serves 2.7 million customers across the state, and for households on tight budgets, the company offers several Georgia Power utility assistance programs that go beyond a simple payment extension. These programs deliver direct bill discounts, free home upgrades, emergency financial relief, and federal energy aid through local partner agencies.
This guide breaks down each program, lists the income thresholds you need to meet, and walks you through the application steps. If you or someone you know carries a past-due balance or dreads the next billing cycle, one of these programs may close the gap.
Key Programs and Organizations at a Glance
Georgia Power Utility Assistance Programs That Lower Your Monthly Bill
Georgia Power operates several distinct programs, each targeting a different type of financial hardship. Some reduce your bill every month. Others cover emergency shortfalls or make your home more efficient so future bills drop on their own. Here is what each one does, who qualifies, and how the benefits work.
Income-Qualified Discount (IQD)
The Income-Qualified Discount shaves $33.50 off your Georgia Power bill every month. The credit applies to the metered electric service and fuel cost recovery portions of your bill. It does not reduce sales taxes or other fixed charges, but for a household paying $150 a month in electricity, a $33.50 discount represents a 22% reduction.
Data Highlight: The Income-Qualified Discount saves eligible households $402 per year ($33.50 × 12 months). Georgia Power expanded the program in May 2024 to include SSDI, SSI, and HUD Section 8 recipients alongside seniors 65 and older.
To qualify, your combined household income must fall at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, and you must meet at least one of these criteria:
- You are 65 years or older
- You receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
- You receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- You participate in the federal Housing Choice Voucher Program (HUD Section 8)
Project SHARE
Project SHARE is Georgia Power’s emergency bill-payment program, operated in partnership with The Salvation Army since 1985. When a household faces a temporary crisis, Project SHARE can cover part or all of the outstanding utility balance. Georgia Power matches customer donations at 150%, which means every $1 donated turns into $2.50 in aid.
In 2025, Georgia Power customers and the company contributed $1.5 million combined, and the program reached more than 16,000 Georgians. To apply, contact your local Salvation Army chapter or call 1-800-257-4273. You can also visit projectshareinfo.com for eligibility details.
Eligibility and Income Limits for Georgia Power Utility Assistance
Each Georgia Power utility assistance program sets its own income ceiling. The table below shows the thresholds for the two largest programs side by side, so you can check your household at a glance.
| Household Size | Income-Qualified Discount (200% FPG) | EASE Program (300% FPG) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $31,920 / year | $47,880 / year |
| 2 | $43,280 / year | $64,920 / year |
| 3 | $54,640 / year | $81,960 / year |
| 4 | $66,000 / year | $99,000 / year |
| 5 | $77,360 / year | $116,040 / year |
| 6 | $88,720 / year | $133,080 / year |
For larger households, add $11,360/year (IQD) or $17,040/year (EASE) per additional person.
LIHEAP uses a different yardstick. Your gross annual household income must fall at or below 60% of the state median income. For a single-person household in Georgia, that ceiling is $34,549. For a five-person household, it rises to $77,071. Contact your local Community Action Agency for the full table.
Across all programs, you will need to show proof of income. Acceptable documents include pay stubs, Social Security benefit statements, unemployment insurance letters, pension statements, disability award letters, food stamp (SNAP) award letters, or a signed no-income affidavit if you have no current earnings.
How to Apply for Georgia Power Utility Assistance
The application path depends on which program fits your situation. Here is the step-by-step process for each.
Income-Qualified Discount Application
- Visit Georgia Power’s Income-Qualified Discount page and complete the eligibility questionnaire. The tool asks for your household size, income range, and qualifying criteria.
- If the questionnaire confirms you may qualify, click “Apply Now” to reach the formal application.
- Upload or mail your proof of income. Georgia Power accepts Social Security statements, pay stubs, disability letters, and SNAP award notices.
- Check your next bill or online account for the “Income Qualified Discount” line item. If it appears, the $33.50 credit is active.
LIHEAP Application
- Locate your county’s Community Action Agency at georgiacaa.org or call the Georgia Department of Human Services at (877) 423-4746.
- Schedule an appointment. Heating season opens December 1 for seniors (65+) and medically homebound residents, then January 2 for all other eligible applicants. Cooling season opens in April for seniors and May for everyone else.
- Bring your most recent heating or cooling bill, Social Security numbers for every household member, proof of citizenship, and 30 days of income documentation for each adult.
- LIHEAP pays the benefit directly to your energy supplier. Funds are distributed first-come, first-served until the annual allocation runs out, so apply as early as possible.
Data Highlight: LIHEAP funding is finite. Georgia distributes federal dollars through local agencies on a first-come, first-served basis each season. Seniors 65 and older get a one-month head start on applications for both heating and cooling cycles.
Project SHARE Application
Call your local Salvation Army chapter or dial 1-800-257-4273. A caseworker will assess your situation, verify your income, and determine how much the program can cover. Georgia Power does not process Project SHARE applications directly.
LIHEAP: Federal Energy Assistance for Georgia Households
The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program is a federally funded safety net administered in Georgia by the Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) through a statewide network of Community Action Agencies. LIHEAP covers three types of aid: direct bill payment for heating and cooling, emergency crisis assistance when a household faces disconnection, and long-term weatherization improvements that reduce future energy costs.
To qualify, you must be a U.S. citizen or legally admitted immigrant, your gross annual household income must sit at or below 60% of the state median income, and you must be the person responsible for paying the energy bill at your primary residence. Households with a utility account credit of $1,000 or more are not eligible.
LIHEAP operates on a seasonal calendar. The heating program opens each December, and the cooling program opens each April. In both cycles, seniors 65 and older and medically homebound residents get priority access one month before the general population. Funds are limited and distributed first-come, first-served, so calling your local agency early gives you the best chance of receiving aid.
As a single parent facing a potential winter shutoff, you can contact Georgia’s LIHEAP line at (877) 423-4746 or visit the Heating Energy Assistance Team (HEAT) website to find your local intake office. All energy assistance services and interpreter support are free.
Free Energy-Saving Upgrades Through Georgia Power’s EASE Program
Georgia Power’s EASE (Energy Assistance for Savings & Efficiency) program targets the root cause of high bills: an inefficient home. If your household income falls at or below 300% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, you may qualify for free upgrades that reduce how much energy your home consumes each month.
Standard EASE benefits include attic insulation, smart thermostats, and air-sealing measures. For homeowners aged 60 and older, the EASE for Seniors track adds free weatherization services, including insulation and structural efficiency improvements. If you live in a manufactured or prefabricated home, the EASE Prefab program provides smart thermostats and low-flow showerheads at no cost.
Pro Tip
Before you apply for EASE, schedule a free Clipboard Audit through Georgia Power. A technician will walk through your home, identify the biggest sources of energy waste, and may install upgrades like advanced power strips or water-saving devices on the spot. Call 877-310-5607 (Option 3) between 8:00 AM and 7:00 PM ET, Monday through Friday, to book your audit.
A home energy audit identifies where your house loses heat in winter and absorbs it in summer. Sealing air leaks alone can cut your heating and cooling costs by 10% to 20%, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Pairing an audit with EASE upgrades creates a compounding effect: you fix the leaks for free, and your monthly bill drops for years to come.
Project SHARE and Community Resources for Georgia Power Utility Assistance
When a single bill-payment crisis hits, Project SHARE is the fastest path to relief. But Georgia also has a broader network of utility assistance programs that can help with rent, food, shelter, and counseling alongside your energy bills.
Data Highlight: Since 1985, Georgia Power customers and the company have contributed more than $84 million through Project SHARE. Georgia Power matches every customer donation at 150%, turning each $1 into $2.50 in emergency aid.
Georgia Power’s Community Assistance & Resource Locator (C.A.R.L.) lets you search by ZIP code or county for organizations that provide help with utilities, food, shelter, rent, mortgage, and counseling. Additional statewide resources include:
| Organization | Phone | Services |
|---|---|---|
| United Way 2-1-1 | Dial 2-1-1 | Utilities, rent, food, shelter, counseling |
| DFCS (Division of Family and Children Services) | (877) 423-4746 | LIHEAP, SNAP, TANF, Medicaid |
| Georgia Community Action Agencies | Varies by county | LIHEAP intake, weatherization, emergency aid |
| Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA) | (404) 656-3826 | Weatherization Assistance Program |
Georgia Power notes that it is not affiliated with these organizations and cannot guarantee they will provide assistance. Availability varies by location, funding levels, and individual circumstances.
Tools, Accessibility, and Resources for Managing Your Georgia Power Utility Costs
Accessibility for All Customers
Georgia Power builds its online portal and customer service channels to work for people of all abilities. If you have a visual impairment, screen readers and text-to-speech tools are compatible with the company’s website. Customers who are deaf or hard of hearing can use the Georgia Relay service (dial 7-1-1) or access closed-captioning features on Georgia Power’s video content. Keyboard-only navigation is available across the site for customers with limited dexterity.
As a caretaker managing bills for an elderly relative, you can call Georgia Power’s main customer service line at 1-888-660-5890 to set up authorized account access. This lets you apply for the Income-Qualified Discount or EASE on behalf of someone who cannot navigate the online portal independently.
Bill Management Tools
Even if you do not qualify for a formal assistance program, Georgia Power provides free tools that help you track and reduce your energy spending. Your online account dashboard displays daily and monthly usage breakdowns, so you can spot spikes before they turn into billing surprises. The Georgia Power mobile app sends push alerts when your consumption trends above your monthly average.
Budget billing is another option worth considering. Instead of bills that swing between $80 in spring and $200 in August, budget billing averages your annual usage into 12 equal payments. The predictability makes it easier to plan around other expenses. You can enroll through your online account or by calling customer service.
If you are behind on payments and facing disconnection, call Georgia Power before the shutoff date. The company offers flexible payment arrangements that let you spread a past-due balance over several months. Negotiating a plan before disconnection is faster, cheaper, and less disruptive than restoring service after the fact.
Local nonprofits and faith-based organizations across Georgia also host energy budgeting workshops and conservation clinics. Check your county’s Community Action Agency or browse our utility assistance FAQ for a list of common programs and next steps.
Georgia Power’s utility assistance programs serve as a financial bridge when your budget cannot absorb the full weight of an electric bill. Whether you qualify for the $33.50 monthly discount, need emergency relief through Project SHARE, or want free home upgrades through EASE, the application process starts with a phone call or a visit to Georgia Power’s website. The aid exists. The first step is yours.
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