Lights on a Fixed Income: A Guide for Texas Seniors

The 2026 Social Security increase works out to about $56 extra per month. Medicare Part B premiums went up $18. So after healthcare takes its cut, most seniors are looking at roughly $38 more than last year.

That’s not nothing. But it’s not much when your light bill in July can run $200 or more.

If you’re on a fixed income in Texas, your light bill is one of the few expenses you can actually control. Not eliminate. Control. This guide covers every legitimate program, discount, and strategy that can help — no miracle cures, just real options.

The Hidden Senior Discount: LITE-UP Texas

Most people don’t know this program exists. LITE-UP Texas gives qualifying seniors a discount on their light bill — usually around 10-17% off the energy portion of each bill. That’s real money. On a $150 bill, you’re looking at $15-25 back in your pocket every month.

Who qualifies:

60 or older, OR receiving certain benefits like SNAP or SSI
Income at or below 150% of federal poverty level ($22,590 for a single person in 2026)
Live in a deregulated area of Texas

You apply through your light company, not through a government office. Most companies have the form on their website, or you can call and ask for the “LITE-UP discount application.”

The discount is automatic once you’re approved — it just shows up on your bill.

LIHEAP: Help When You’re Behind

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) can pay part of your light bill directly. In Texas, seniors 60 and older can apply early — applications typically open in October or November, before the general public.

Two types of help:

Regular assistance — helps with ongoing bills, usually once per program year
Crisis assistance — for emergencies when your lights are about to get cut off or already have been

Apply through your local Community Action Agency. In Houston, that’s BakerRipley. In Dallas, it’s Community Council of Greater Dallas. Google “LIHEAP” plus your county name to find yours.

The amount varies based on funding and need, but $200-500 is typical. It won’t cover everything, but it buys time.

For more programs like this, see our financial assistance guide.

The Medical Protection You Might Not Know About

If you or someone in your household has a serious illness or medical condition, Texas law requires light companies to delay disconnection. This is called a medical certificate, and it buys you 63 days — sometimes renewable.

Conditions that often qualify:

Oxygen equipment
Dialysis
Heart conditions
Chronic respiratory illness
Other conditions where losing power creates a health risk

You need a doctor or nurse practitioner to fill out a form. Your light company must accept it. This isn’t charity — it’s Texas law under PUCT rules.

We explain the whole process in our medical certificate guide. If you’re behind on bills and have health issues, this is worth looking into before your lights get cut off.

Prepaid: The Option Nobody Talks About

Here’s an honest assessment of prepaid lights for seniors.

The good:

No credit check. Period.
No deposit, no matter what your situation
You see exactly what you’re spending each day
Can’t rack up a surprise $400 bill
Your lights stop before you dig yourself into debt

The trade-off:

Rates are typically higher than traditional plans — sometimes 20-30% more
Requires managing your balance (daily text alerts help)
If your balance hits zero, lights go off

For some seniors, that trade-off makes sense. You pay more per unit, but you never face a $300 deposit or get surprised by a huge bill. It’s built-in spending control.

Others hate it. The monitoring feels stressful. They’d rather have a predictable monthly bill.

There’s no wrong answer. It depends on what works for your situation. Our how prepaid works guide goes deeper if you want to understand the mechanics.

Lowering Your Bill Without Changing Companies

Before you switch plans, try these. They cost nothing and can cut 10-30% off your bill.

Thermostat strategy: Set it at 78 in summer, 68 in winter when you’re home. Every degree costs real money — roughly 3-5% of your cooling or heating costs per degree. Going from 72 to 78 in July can save $20-40 per month.

If 78 feels too warm, try ceiling fans. Moving air feels about 4 degrees cooler. Run the fan in the room you’re in, turn it off when you leave.

The $0 improvements:

Close blinds on south and west windows during summer afternoons
Open blinds on south windows during winter days for free solar heat
Change your AC filter (a dirty filter makes the system work harder)
Seal gaps around doors with weatherstripping (a $5 fix)

The appliance question: Your refrigerator runs 24/7. If it’s 15+ years old, it might be costing you $20-30 more per month than a newer model. That’s not a reason to go buy one tomorrow. But if yours dies, the newer one pays for part of itself in lower bills.

Shopping Smarter for a Better Rate

Texas seniors have every right to shop for a better rate. The light company you’ve had for 10 years might be charging you 30% more than a new customer would pay. Loyalty doesn’t get rewarded in the Texas light market.

What to look for:

Your current rate per unit (check your bill)
Fixed-rate plans that lock in your price for 12-24 months
Plans without early termination fees (ETF) if you want flexibility

What to avoid:

Variable rate plans (your rate can double month to month)
Plans with extremely high usage tiers (great at 500 units, terrible at 1500)
“Free nights” plans unless you actually use a lot of power at night

Switching light companies in Texas is free by law. There’s no fee, no lapse in service. Your meter just starts billing to the new company.

If You’re Already Behind

Falling behind happens. Here’s the order of operations.

First: Call your light company. Ask about a deferred payment plan. Texas law requires them to offer one if you meet certain conditions. You’ll pay your current bill plus a portion of what you owe each month until you’re caught up.

Second: Apply for LIHEAP crisis assistance. If disconnection is imminent, crisis funds can sometimes be processed in days.

Third: Look into local help. Churches, nonprofits, and community organizations often have utility assistance funds. St. Vincent de Paul, Salvation Army, and Catholic Charities are common sources. Your city or county may have an emergency assistance program too.

Fourth: If you have a medical condition, file for protection. A medical certificate stops disconnection for 63 days.

What you don’t want to do: ignore it. The later you wait, the bigger the balance, the harder to dig out.

A Note About Scams

Seniors get targeted by energy scams more than any other group. Here’s what’s real and what’s not.

Scams to avoid:

Anyone calling to say your lights will be cut off TODAY unless you pay with gift cards
Emails claiming you need to “verify” your account or update payment information
People at your door offering “government light bill relief” (LIHEAP doesn’t work that way)
Any offer for free solar that requires signing over your home

The rule: Your light company will never demand immediate payment by gift card or wire transfer. If someone pressures you, hang up. Call the number on your actual bill to verify.

Making It Work

A fixed income means fixed math. Your Social Security check is what it is. But within that constraint, you have more control over your light bill than you might think.

Start with the discount programs — LITE-UP and LIHEAP. Then look at your usage. Then shop rates. Stack those together and you could be looking at $50-100 less per month.

That’s not life-changing money. But on a fixed income, it’s the difference between making it and not.

Related reading:

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