We want to give everyone in our communities access to the electricity they need to live comfortably, regardless of their financial situations. Please see the financial aid options below. You can contact us via online chat,  at  1-866-222-7100 or on the Reliant app to learn more.

COVID-19 Electricity Relief Program

The State of Texas has created the COVID-19 Electricity Relief Program (ERP) to help customers experiencing financial hardship as a result of COVID-19 temporarily avoid disconnection. Residential customers who have recently applied for unemployment benefits through the Texas Workforce Commission (or who have a household member who recently applied) are eligible to enroll. Residential customers who receive assistance through SNAP or Medicaid should be automatically enrolled in this relief program. COVID-19 ERP eligibility and enrollment is managed by the Public Utility Commission (PUC) of Texas’ third party administrator, Solix. The length of the program is determined by the PUC and is currently set to extend through August 31, 2020.  

You can find full eligibility requirements and answers to frequently asked questions on the Texas COVID-19 Electricity Relief Program website.

To apply for disconnection protection, please complete this online application or call Solix at 1-866-454-8387.

What do I need to qualify?

  • If a customer or a person in a customer’s household has filed for unemployment with the Texas Workforce Commission, an application can be submitted for enrollment, as discussed below.  Customers who received SNAP or Medicaid should be automatically enrolled in the COVID-19 ERP and do not need to submit an application to Solix.  Please note that coverage in the COVID-19 ERP based on receipt of SNAP or Medicaid benefits applies only if the retail electric account is held in the name of the person who receives those benefits.   

What information will I be asked to provide?  

Required information:

  • First and Last Name of the person associated with the Reliant account
  • Service address with city and ZIP code
  • Relationship to the account holder (of the household member who has filed for unemployment)

Optional Information:

  • Account number (on the electricity bill) 
  • ESID number (on the electricity bill)
  • Last four social security digits of the person associated with the Reliant account
  • Telephone number associated with your Reliant account
  • A good contact email address (that can help ensure you get important communications)

Do I need to call Reliant after enrolling?

  • Yes, contact us so we know you have attempted to enroll with Solix. Also, if your payment due date is coming up, contact us so we can work with you on a deferred payment plan. You will be eligible for a deferred payment plan even if your enrollment with Solix is not successful. We encourage you to continue making payments in whatever amount possible. If you need help paying your bill, please reference the CARE information below.

Within 30 days of applying, you will also need to provide:

  • A copy of the applicant's acceptance from Texas Workforce Commission 
  • A copy of the Reliant electricity bill so Solix can ensure the information in their database matches the Reliant account information you provided (accessible 24/7 in your online account)
  • Submit the copy of acceptance and electricity bill within 30 days of calling Solix via: 
              Fax: 1-877-215-8018 
              Mail: P.O. Box 4060, Killeen, Texas 76540-4060 
              Email: TX_COVID-19ELECTRICITY_RELIEF@SOLIXINC.COM

Community Assistance by Reliant Energy (CARE) Program

Reliant provides financial assistance to customers facing hardship to help pay their electricity bill through our CARE program. This initiative is made possible thanks to generous customer, corporate and employee contributions. 

If you need help paying your electricity bill, call 2-1-1, tell the agent you are a Reliant customer and you’d like to apply for Reliant CARE assistance or visit 211texas.org for CARE agency partners near you. Be sure to call the agency you’re referred to and discuss how to submit your application, as things may have changed due to COVID-19.

Please note that 2-1-1 Texas does not administer funds directly. Assistance is issued at the discretion of our agency partners to eligible customers, and it may not cover your entire electricity bill. Since 2005, more than $11 million has been distributed.

Payment Extensions

Under certain conditions, we allow payment due date extensions. If granted an extension, you will be allowed extra time beyond your original due date to pay your balance without fear of disconnection. However, you may be assessed a 5% late fee, a disconnection notice fee (if you received a disconnection notice), and a disconnect recovery fee. Rest assured, you will not be charged a 5% late fee penalty for delinquent bills for electricity service if you’re protected by the COVID-19 Electricity Relief Program detailed above.

If you received a disconnection notice and a payment due date extension is needed, it must be requested prior to the disconnection notice due date.   

If you are on AutoPay, you must contact us at least three business days before your bill is due so we can deactivate your automatic payment.

If you are seriously ill, you may qualify for other options. Please call 1-866-222-7100 to discuss your situation with an agent.

To request a payment extension, please call 1-866-222-7100 or apply online here.

 

Deferred Payment Plans

As part of the COVID-19 Electricity Relief Program, deferred payment plans will be offered to all customers, upon request. Deferred payment plans allow you to pay the balance you owe in installments along with your regular monthly bill. 

On a deferred payment plan, you are typically expected to pay 50% of what you owe upfront. You will pay the rest in installments along with your next few current monthly bills (invoices). 

If you agree to a deferred payment plan, you will not be able to switch to another electricity provider until your deferred balance is paid in full.

If eligible, your outstanding balance for electricity and late charges can be paid off in a deferred payment plan. Amounts you owe for protection plan products (e.g., Surge Protect, AC/Heat Protect), enrollment deposits, final bills and write-off amounts may not be included. However, if you are seriously ill, you may qualify for other options. Please call 1-866-222-7100 to discuss your situation with an agent. 

To request a deferred payment plan online, click here.



Lighting the Way in our Communities

Through the Reliant Gives community program, we’re supporting our neighbors and customers across Texas in the battle against COVID-19. Find out more.

What our customers are saying

Having electricity is very important during this pandemic, so it is reassuring to know that Reliant is available to help in whatever way we need them.

– Lesley T., Dallas, TX

They're understanding and always willing to work with me if I can't pay all my bills on time, especially during the pandemic.

– Yvette J., Arlington, TX

Kept their word on transferring my services — even with the pandemic.

– Anna Z., Houston, TX

I have been on many phone calls recently where companies are asking for payment, but I don’t have any money. It’s a hard time, and nobody wants to be in this situation. Your staff was very kind and helpful, and they treated me with empathy and respect. It was really the best call I’ve been on in these circumstances.

– Micah H., Waco, TX

They helped me get small savings on my bill. With this pandemic going on, it helps financially.

– Adrian A., Mission, TX

The assistance is appreciated during this time of crisis.

– Carmelita B., Houston, TX

The representative was friendly and helpful and adjusted our bill during the pandemic.

– Mary H., Houston, TX

My family has been affected by COVID-19 and had to terminate the lease for our Daughter's home early. The Reliant representative I spoke with kindly waived the early termination fee of $150 for our 12-month agreement with Reliant. There have already been financial burdens associated with COVID-19 impacting our home and to know there was some relief in not having to pay this was a blessing!

– Richard W., Belton, TX

I’m affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and Reliant didn’t shut off my power. Instead, they extended my due date, so I can have electricity through these hard times!

– Darrell W., Fort Worth, TX

Reliant appeared to really care about my financial struggles through my layoff due to the Coronavirus. I’m awaiting word from unemployment. I’ve been a Reliant customer for 11 years.

– Mary B., Arlington, TX

Extremely helpful. Considering the situation with COVID-19, Reliant is willing to work with me since my hours are cut.

– Natasha L., Midland, TX

Customer service is very understanding, especially with what’s going on with this virus. People are out of work and Reliant is helping to keep the lights on for family, children, and friends so that’s very important.

– Norma C., Houston, TX