Arizona Public Service (APS) is offering several forms of assistance to customers experiencing financial difficulties, including those affected by the federal government shutdown. The company has announced a range of programs and partnerships with nonprofit organizations to help ease the burden for those struggling to pay their utility bills.
APS recently committed an additional $3 million in grants to nonprofit agencies that provide essential services such as utility bill assistance, air conditioner repair and replacement, and housing support. This funding comes from Pinnacle West shareholder resources and is not included in customer rates. According to APS, these grants will ensure continued support for customers in need.
The company provides flexible payment arrangements for customers who require more time to pay their balances. Several specific programs are available:
– Project SHARE, which will be renamed APS CARE on November 1, allows customers facing emergencies—including those impacted by the federal shutdown—to apply for up to $500 in bill assistance regardless of income. The Salvation Army administers this program.
– Crisis Bill Assistance offers qualifying customers up to $1,000 per year if they face temporary financial hardship.
– The APS Energy Support program provides tiered monthly discounts based on household income. Eligible participants can receive either a 25% or 60% discount on their monthly energy bills—the largest limited-income customer bill discount in Arizona. Eligibility is determined by last month’s income; for example, a family of four earning $5,358 or less before taxes qualifies for a 25% discount, while those with $2,036 or less qualify for a 60% discount.
– The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is also available through government support.
To help manage energy costs further, APS encourages customers to check whether they are enrolled in the lowest-cost rate plan by reviewing the Monthly Plan Comparison on their printed bill or online account at aps.com/compare. Budget Billing is another option that spreads payments evenly throughout the year to avoid seasonal fluctuations; details are available at aps.com/budgetbilling.
Customers can also select their own due dates for bills and sign up for alerts about energy usage and outages.
For additional account management support, APS offers two programs: Safety Net allows designated partners to receive copies of bills and notifications regarding overdue payments, while Guest Roles enables friends or family members to help manage accounts online.
Customers seeking more information or wishing to enroll in any of these programs can contact APS advisors at (602) 371-7171 or (800) 253-9405 at any time in English or Spanish.
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