Which light companies in Texas don't require a deposit?

Prepaid light companies like Payless Power, Now Power, and Pogo Energy never require deposits. Traditional light companies like 4Change Energy, Ambit Energy, and Veteran Energy have lower credit thresholds and may waive deposits for scores as low as 600-620.

What credit score do I need to avoid a deposit?

It depends on the light company. Most waive deposits at 650+. Some like 4Change Energy waive at 600+. Prepaid light companies don't check credit at all, so there's no score requirement.

Can I qualify for no deposit with credit challenges?

Yes. Three paths work regardless of credit: prepaid plans (no credit check at all), PUCT deposit waivers (for seniors 65+, disability, SNAP, Medicaid), and letters of credit from your previous light company showing 12 months on-time payments.

How long does it take to get approved for no-deposit service?

Prepaid: same day, usually within 2-4 hours. Traditional with good credit: 1-2 business days. Deposit waiver processing: 1-3 business days after submitting documentation.

No-Deposit Light Companies in Texas (2026)

You’re looking for a light company that won’t make you pay a deposit. Maybe you’ve already been quoted $300+ and you’re trying to figure out who else is out there. Here’s the complete picture: every no-deposit light company in Texas, what they require, and exactly how to qualify with each one.

This isn’t just a list. Each light company has different rules, different thresholds, and different situations where they work best. Picking the wrong one costs you money every single month.

Two Types of No-Deposit Light Companies

Texas has two completely different types of light companies that offer no-deposit service. Understanding the difference saves you hundreds of dollars.

Prepaid light companies never require a deposit. No credit check. Guaranteed approval. Higher monthly cost.

Traditional light companies may waive the deposit depending on your credit, your history, or your eligibility for waiver programs. Lower monthly cost when you qualify.

The smart move: check traditional first. Fall back to prepaid if needed. We check both types when you enter your ZIP.

Prepaid Light Companies (Guaranteed No Deposit)

Every prepaid light company listed below offers service with no deposit and no credit check. Under PUCT Rule 25.498, prepaid plans in Texas cannot require a security deposit.

Payless Power

Detail	Info
Startup cost	$40-75
Credit check	None
Same-day cutoff	2:00 PM, 7 days/week
In Texas since	2005
Best for	Lowest startup cost, weekend sign-ups

Payless Power is the most established prepaid light company in Texas. They’ve been around for over 20 years and have the lowest barrier to entry. If you need lights on a Saturday or Sunday, they’re one of the few that process same-day lights on weekends.

How to qualify: Have $40-75 and a Texas address in a deregulated area. That’s it. No credit check, no ID verification beyond basic identity confirmation, no previous balance check.

Now Power

Detail	Info
Startup cost	$50-75
Credit check	None
Same-day cutoff	2:00 PM weekdays
In Texas since	2015
Best for	Competitive daily rates

Now Power offers solid prepaid service with competitive per-unit rates. Their rates tend to be slightly more favorable than Payless on a per-unit basis, though startup costs run a bit higher.

How to qualify: Same as Payless. Cash and a Texas address. No credit barriers.

Pogo Energy

Detail	Info
Startup cost	$30-50
Credit check	None
Same-day cutoff	1:00 PM weekdays
In Texas since	2018
Best for	Lowest possible startup, transparent pricing

Pogo Energy focuses on straightforward pricing. They’ve built their brand on transparency and sometimes have the lowest startup requirement in the market.

How to qualify: Cash and a Texas address. They’re newer than Payless or Now Power but have built a clean track record.

What Prepaid Costs You

Prepaid runs about $145-180/month for a typical 1,000-unit Texas home. Traditional plans for the same usage run $80-120/month. That’s a $60-100/month premium for the convenience of no credit check.

Over 12 months, prepaid costs roughly $720-1,200 more than traditional. That’s real money. If there’s any path to traditional rates, it’s worth pursuing.

For a side-by-side comparison, see our guide on the real cost of prepaid in Texas.

Traditional Light Companies (May Waive Deposit)

Traditional light companies offer lower rates but require a credit check. The deposit depends on what that check reveals. Here’s who’s most likely to work with you.

Tier 1: Most Likely to Waive (Lower Credit Thresholds)

4Change Energy

Approximate threshold: 600+
Deposit when required: $150-250
Known for community involvement and more flexible approval policies
Good option if your credit is in the 600-650 range where other companies still require deposits

Ambit Energy

Approximate threshold: 620+
Deposit when required: $150-300
Large national company with a presence throughout Texas
Slightly more lenient than the big legacy companies

Veteran Energy

Approximate threshold: Varies (extra flexibility for military)
Deposit when required: $100-250
Veteran-owned company with preferential treatment for military and veterans
If you have any military connection, check them first

Discount Power

Approximate threshold: 600-625+
Deposit when required: $150-300
Budget-focused company that tends to work with marginal credit profiles

Tier 2: Moderate Thresholds

Green Mountain Energy

Approximate threshold: 625+
Deposit when required: $200-350
Renewable energy plans
Good reputation for customer service

Cirro Energy

Approximate threshold: 625+
Deposit when required: $200-300
Consistent in their approval process
Standard traditional plan offerings

Tier 3: Stricter Requirements

TXU Energy

Approximate threshold: 650+
Deposit when required: $250-400
Largest company in Texas, but strictest on credit
May offer deposit payment plans (ask specifically)

Reliant

Approximate threshold: 650+
Deposit when required: $250-450
Higher deposits when required
Also may offer payment plan options

Direct Energy

Approximate threshold: 650+
Deposit when required: $300-400+
Strict requirements
May work with you if you have a letter of credit

Important: These thresholds are approximate and change regularly. A company in Tier 3 today might drop to Tier 2 next quarter if they need more customers. That’s exactly why we check multiple light companies at once.

How to Qualify for No Deposit With Each Light Company Type

Path A: You Have Good Credit (650+)

Most traditional light companies waive the deposit automatically. You sign up, they run a soft credit check (won’t hurt your score), and if you’re above their threshold, you start service with $0 down.

Best move: Compare rates across multiple light companies since you’ll likely qualify at several. Pick the one with the best rate for your usage level.

Path B: Your Credit Is 550-649

You’re in the zone where some companies waive and others don’t. This is where comparing light companies matters most.

Best move: Enter your ZIP at NoDepositLights.com and see who approves you. Focus on Tier 1 and Tier 2 traditional light companies first. If none approve you at $0, check for deposit waiver eligibility.

Path C: You Qualify for a Deposit Waiver

Under PUCT Rule 25.24, traditional light companies must waive deposits for:

Seniors 65+ (government ID required)
Disability recipients (SSDI/SSI documentation)
SNAP/Food stamps enrollees (enrollment letter)
Medicaid participants (enrollment verification)
TANF recipients (program documentation)

Credit score doesn’t matter for these waivers. If you qualify, pick any traditional light company with the best rate. They must waive the deposit by law.

Full instructions in our deposit waiver guide.

Path D: You Have 12 Months of On-Time Payments

Call your previous Texas light company and request a letter of credit. This letter proves you paid on time for 12 consecutive months. Any new light company must accept it and waive the deposit.

This works even with rough credit. The letter overrides the credit check for deposit purposes.

Read the full process in our guide on letters of credit for lights.

Path E: None of the Above Works

Go prepaid. It costs more monthly, but it gets your lights on today. After 12 months of on-time prepaid payments, you can get a letter of credit from your prepaid light company and switch to traditional rates.

Think of it as the path to traditional service. Prepaid is the bridge. Traditional is the destination.

Side-by-Side: Prepaid vs. Traditional No-Deposit

Factor	Prepaid	Traditional (No Deposit)
Credit check	None	Soft check (no score impact)
Deposit	$0	$0 (when approved)
Startup cost	$40-75 (goes to usage)	$0
Monthly cost (1,000 units)	$145-180	$80-120
Annual cost difference	—	Saves $720-1,200/year
Contract	None (month-to-month)	Usually 6-24 months
Approval speed	Same day (2-4 hours)	1-2 business days
Cancellation	Walk away anytime	May have early termination fee

The monthly rate difference is the critical number. If you can get traditional with no deposit, you save roughly $80-100/month. That compounds fast.

Picking the Right Light Company for Your Situation

You need lights TODAY: Payless Power (lowest startup, weekend availability) or Now Power. Go prepaid now, switch to traditional later.

Your credit is above 650: Compare traditional light companies for the best rate. You’ll likely qualify at several with no deposit.

Your credit is 550-650: Focus on 4Change Energy, Ambit Energy, Discount Power. These have the lowest thresholds. Check them all at once through our comparison tool.

You’re 65+, on disability, or receive SNAP/Medicaid: Request a deposit waiver from whichever traditional light company has the best rate. They must comply by law.

You have payment history but rough credit: Get a letter of credit from your previous Texas light company. It overrides credit concerns.

Nothing is working and you need a plan: Start with prepaid. Build 12 months of on-time payments. Get a letter of credit. Switch to traditional. This is how you work your way back to lower rates.

For more on which specific companies offer no-deposit plans, see our guide on light companies with no deposit in Texas. To learn the strategies for skipping deposits at traditional companies, check our guide on how to find electric companies with no deposit.

Find out which light companies approve you with $0 deposit.

We check traditional and prepaid light companies at your address. Many people with credit challenges find at least one traditional option with no deposit. Can’t promise it, but it takes two minutes to check. Enter your ZIP code and see what’s available.