No Deposit Lights for Texas Seniors | Rights (2026)

If you’re 65 or older in Texas, no light company can legally make you pay a deposit. Period.

This isn’t a discount. It’s not a program you need to apply for. It’s state law. The Public Utility Commission of Texas wrote it into the rules, and every light company in a deregulated area has to follow it.

The problem? Most light companies don’t volunteer this information. They’ll quote you a $200-$400 deposit like it’s the only option. It’s not. You have a legal right to skip it, and this guide shows you exactly how to use that right.

The Senior Deposit Waiver: This Is Law, Not Charity

Under PUCT §25.24, Texas light companies must waive the deposit for customers who are 65 years of age or older. The only exception: you can’t have an existing delinquent balance with that same company.

That’s it. No credit check required. No income verification. No paperwork beyond proving your age.

How to use it:

1. When you call or sign up online, tell them you’re 65 or older before they run your credit. Say the words: “I’m requesting the senior deposit waiver under PUCT rules.”
2. Have your ID ready. A Texas driver’s license or state ID showing your date of birth is all you need. Some companies accept a utility bill with your name plus a verbal confirmation of age.
3. Get confirmation in writing. Ask for an email or reference number confirming the deposit was waived. This protects you if they “forget” later and try to add it to your bill.

This waiver applies to every light company in deregulated Texas — Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington, Corpus Christi, and everywhere else you can choose your light company. It’s not optional for them. It’s the law.

For a full breakdown of every deposit waiver available in Texas, see our deposit waivers guide.

Other Ways Seniors Skip the Deposit

The age-65 waiver is the big one. But it’s not the only path. If you’re a senior under 65, or if you want backup options, here are the other ways to avoid a deposit.

SNAP, Medicaid, or SSI Waiver

Many Texas light companies waive deposits for customers receiving government benefits. If you’re on SNAP (food stamps), Medicaid, or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), ask about a benefit-based deposit waiver when you sign up.

You’ll typically need to show proof — a benefits card, award letter, or recent statement. Not every company offers this waiver, but enough do that it’s always worth asking.

A lot of seniors qualify for these programs and don’t realize they can use them to skip the deposit on their lights too.

Letter of Credit (12 Months of On-Time Payments)

If you’ve paid your light bill on time for at least 12 consecutive months at any light company, you can get a letter of credit. Texas law requires new companies to accept this as an alternative to a deposit.

Call your current or previous light company and ask for a “letter of credit” or “payment history letter.” It needs to show 12 months of on-time payments with your name, account number, and service dates.

This works even if your credit score isn’t great. The payment history overrides the credit check. We explain the full process in our letter of credit guide.

Deposit Payment Plans

If none of the waivers apply and a deposit is required, ask about splitting it up. Some light companies let you spread the deposit over 2-3 monthly payments instead of paying the full $200-$400 upfront.

It’s not ideal, but it keeps you from draining your account all at once. The deposit is refundable after 12 months of on-time payments, so you’ll get it back eventually.

If They Say No Anyway

Here’s the truth: some light companies make it harder than it should be. A customer service rep might not know the rule, or they might “forget” to apply it. This happens more than it should.

If a light company refuses to waive your deposit and you’re 65 or older with no delinquent balance at that company, they’re breaking the law.

What to do:

1. Ask for a supervisor. Say: “I’m requesting the senior deposit waiver under PUCT §25.24. I’m 65 or older and I don’t have a delinquent balance with your company.” Sometimes the first rep just doesn’t know.

2. Document everything. Write down the date, time, the rep’s name, and what they told you. If you’re on a recorded line, note that too.

3. File a PUCT complaint. Call the Public Utility Commission of Texas at 1-888-782-8477 or file online at puc.texas.gov. Tell them the company name, the date you were denied, and that you’re requesting the senior deposit waiver.

This gets resolved fast. Light companies face fines for violating PUCT rules, and they know it. Most complaints are settled within a few weeks. The company either waives the deposit or explains why (and “we didn’t feel like it” isn’t a valid answer).

For a step-by-step walkthrough of filing a complaint, see our PUCT complaint guide.

Prepaid: The No-Questions-Asked Option

Maybe you don’t want to deal with paperwork. Maybe you’re helping a family member get set up fast. Maybe the bureaucracy just isn’t worth the hassle right now.

Prepaid lights are always available. No credit check, no deposit, no age verification, no letters, no forms. You pay upfront, use what you paid for, and add more when you need to.

What it costs:

• $40-75 to start (this is NOT a deposit — it goes directly toward your usage)
• You’re prepaying for power, not losing money to a fee
• Add money whenever you want, as much or as little as you need

The trade-off: Prepaid rates run higher than traditional plans — typically 20-30% more per month. On a $150 traditional bill, you might pay $180-$195 on prepaid. Over a year, that adds up to roughly $360-$540 more.

Why some seniors choose it anyway:

• No surprise bills. You see exactly what you’re spending each day.
• Built-in spending control. Your lights stop before you dig into debt.
• No contract. Walk away anytime with nothing owed.
• Same-day setup. Most people get their lights on within hours.

If you want to understand the mechanics before signing up, our how prepaid works guide covers everything.

Choosing the Right Plan as a Senior

Whether you go traditional (with the deposit waived) or prepaid, the plan you pick matters. Here’s what to look for.

Go fixed-rate. A fixed-rate plan locks your rate for 12-24 months. Your bill still changes with usage (you use more in summer), but the rate per unit stays the same. On a fixed income, predictability is everything. Variable rates can double in July and wreck your budget.

Ask about autopay discounts. Many light companies knock $5-$10 off your monthly bill if you set up automatic payments. That’s $60-$120 per year for doing nothing extra.

Watch out for minimum usage fees. Some plans charge a fee if you use less than a certain amount. If you’re in a small apartment or keep usage low, this can wipe out any savings from a “cheap” rate. Read the plan details before signing up.

LITE-UP Texas discount. If your income is at or below 150% of the federal poverty level ($22,590 for a single person in 2026), you may qualify for the LITE-UP discount — 10-17% off the energy portion of every bill. We cover this in detail in our seniors on fixed income guide, including how to apply, who qualifies, and what you’ll save.

For help with bills you’re already behind on, check our financial assistance guide. And if you or someone in your household depends on powered medical equipment, our medical certificate guide explains how Texas law protects you from getting cut off.

Your Action Plan

You don’t need to memorize all of this. Here’s the short version:

1. You’re 65 or older? Tell them. Say “senior deposit waiver” and have your ID ready. The deposit is waived by law.

2. On SNAP, Medicaid, or SSI? Ask about a benefit-based waiver. Bring proof.

3. They say no? Call the PUCT at 1-888-782-8477. They’ll fix it.

4. Don’t want to deal with any of that? Go prepaid. $40-75 to start, lights on today, no questions asked.

No senior in Texas should be paying a $200-$400 deposit on their lights. The law is on your side. Use it.

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Related reading:

• Every Deposit Waiver Option in Texas
• How Prepaid Lights Work in Texas
• Cheapest Plans for Texas Seniors on Fixed Income
• Financial Assistance for Texas Light Bills
• Medical Certificate to Prevent Cutoff

Get Your Lights On

We check multiple light companies to find you the best option. Many people qualify for traditional plans with $0 deposit. You always have prepaid as a guaranteed fallback.

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This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. For official rules, visit the Public Utility Commission of Texas. NoDepositLights.com is powered by Compare Power (PUCT License BR190020).