All Your Options, Fastest to Slowest
Here's every way to get your lights on when your credit's been through some things:
Pay-As-You-Go Lights
Get Lights TodayNo credit check. No money down. Guaranteed approval — no one gets denied. You can have lights on today. Rates are higher (30-50% more), but there's nothing standing in your way.
Pay a Little Each Month Instead of a Big Deposit
Some companies let you pay $5-10/month instead of $300 upfront. You get regular rates without having to come up with that money all at once. PUCT Rule 25.24
Light Companies That Work With You
Some light companies expect their customers to have credit issues. Their deposits are way lower - sometimes just $75-150.
Prove You've Been Paying Somewhere Else
Get a letter from your old utility saying you paid on time for a year. Show that to the new company and they often skip or lower the deposit - even with rough credit.
Just Pay the Deposit (If You Can Swing It)
If you can come up with $200-400 now, you get the lowest rates. Pay on time for a year and they give it all back. PUCT Rule 25.24
Option 1: Pay-As-You-Go Lights
This is how most people get their lights on fast when credit's an issue. Pay-as-you-go is guaranteed approval — there's no application to get denied on, no credit check to fail, and no money down for a deposit. Here's exactly how it works:
How It Works
To Get Started
Pay $40-75 up front. That's not a deposit - it goes straight toward your power.
As You Use It
Your balance goes down each day based on what you actually use. You'll get a text when you're running low.
When You Need More
Top off your account through an app, over the phone, or at CVS, Walmart, and similar stores.
What's Good About It
- + They don't check your credit. At all.
- + No big deposit to come up with
- + You can have lights on today
- + No contract - leave whenever
- + You always know exactly what you're spending
What's Not Great
- - You'll pay more - rates are 30-50% higher
- - If your balance hits $0, your lights get cut off
- - You gotta keep an eye on your balance
- - Won't help your credit score
Use the Same-Day Finder — see which light companies can get your lights on today and their cutoff times.
Option 2: Pay Monthly Instead of a Big Deposit
Some light companies let you skip the deposit if you pay a small monthly fee instead. You get regular rates (way cheaper than pay-as-you-go) without having to find $300 right now.
Here's How It Works
Instead of $200-400 upfront (PUCT Rule 25.24), you pay $5-10 extra each month
Pay on time for a year or two, and they drop the extra fee
Meanwhile, you're paying regular rates - a lot cheaper than pay-as-you-go
Let's do the math: $10/month for 12 months = $120 total. A $300 deposit would be refunded eventually, so you're technically paying $120 you won't get back. But the lower rates save you way more than that over a year.
Full breakdown of deposit waiver programs and who qualifies
Need help paying a deposit? The Texas CEAP program provides energy assistance for qualifying households.
Option 3: Second Chance Light Companies With No Credit Check or Low Deposits
Not every light company treats you like a risk. Some are second chance light companies built for people who need affordable lights with no credit check and no down payment. They expect their customers to have credit issues and plan for it.
What to Ask About
- - Deposits under $150 (some as low as $75)
- - Can I split the deposit into payments?
- - Do you do a hard credit check? (You want soft only)
- - Do you have a second-chance program?
Put your ZIP code in below and we'll show you which companies in your area work with folks who've had credit issues.
Option 4: Show Them You've Been Paying Somewhere Else
Here's something a lot of people don't know: if you've been paying ANY utility on time for 12 months - lights, water, gas, wherever - you can use that to skip or lower your deposit. It's actually your right under Texas law ( PUCT Section 25.24).
How to Get This Letter
Call your old light company (or water, or gas)
Ask for a "letter of credit" - they know what this means
It should say you paid on time for 12 months straight
Hand it to the new light company when you get started
This works because you're proving you pay your bills - even if your credit score doesn't show it.
Okay, How Do I Actually Get My Lights On Today?
Here's what to do, step by step:
First, Make Sure There's No Block on Your Address
If you owe money to an old light company, there might be a "switch hold" on your address. Nobody can turn your lights on - not even pay-as-you-go - until that's handled. Here's how to check and fix it
Get Your Info Together
You'll need: your address, your ID, your Social Security number (for regular plans - pay-as-you-go doesn't need it), and a way to pay. If you've got a letter from your old utility saying you paid on time, grab that too.
See What's Available at Your Address
Put your ZIP code in below. We'll show you pay-as-you-go options, low-deposit companies, and regular plans. Look at what you'd pay upfront versus what your monthly bill would be.
Get Started
For pay-as-you-go: fill out the form online, pay your startup amount, and your lights can be on today. For regular plans: apply online or call them, handle the deposit situation however you worked out.
Think About Your Next Move
If you went with pay-as-you-go, treat it like a bridge, not your forever plan. The rates are higher. When you can, switch to a regular plan and put that money back in your pocket.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get lights if my credit's not great?
Is there a credit score you need for lights?
Will getting started hurt my credit?
Can paying my light bill help my credit?
What's a deposit waiver program?
How do I know if there's a switch hold on my address?
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).
