As the colder months approach, Americans in a handful of states still have time to claim assistance to help cover rising energy bills. Make no mistake: the deadline of November 1, 2025 is looming. Residents of California, North Dakota and Tennessee who meet the income and eligibility criteria can receive credits ranging up to $1,100 to help with heating and utility-cost burdens.
Here’s what you need to know.
Why this matters now
Utility bills frequently spike in the winter: more heating, more usage, and higher demand for fuel and power all drive costs upward. For many households, especially those already facing tight budgets, the jump in bills can be overwhelming. Federal and state assistance programs exist precisely to alleviate this burden.
But timing is crucial. Some programs are only open for application for a limited window. If you miss the deadline, you may forgo a substantial benefit. In this case, November 1, 2025 is the date to watch.
What the states are offering
California
In California, the program is less about applying and more about automatic credits for utility customers. Under the California Climate Credit (funded via the state’s Cap-and-Invest program), many households receive a bill credit automatically on their electric and/or natural gas bills — there’s no separate application required for eligible utility customers. The Sun+3Wikipedia+3Governor of California+3
According to recent reports:
- The average electricity bill credit in October was about $61 per customer across the state. Governor of California+1
- For customers of certain investor-owned utilities (like Pacific Gas and Electric Company – PG&E), households that use both electric and natural gas service qualify for combined credits up to about $183.49 in 2025 (for those customers) according to one news article. The Sun
- Small businesses may get up to around $116.46 under similar programs. The Sun
So while California’s top-end numbers are lower than in the other states mentioned, the credits are automatic for many customers and require no application. That means fewer hurdles for eligible households.
North Dakota
In North Dakota, the benefit on offer is more substantial — up to $1,100 for qualifying households under the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), administered at the state level. The Sun+1
Key details:
- The program is open from October 1, 2025 through May 31, 2026 for new applications. The Sun+1
- Households must have income at or below 60% of the state median income to qualify. The Sun+1
- Applicants may apply online or by mail via the state’s Health & Human Services site. The Sun
- Payments go toward home-heating and energy costs (electricity, gas, propane, fuel oil, wood, etc.). The Sun+1
For eligible households in North Dakota, this is a significant boost — especially given the harsh winter and potential heating burdens.
Tennessee
In Tennessee, residents may receive credits through LIHEAP via the Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA). One-time payments will range from $174 to $750, depending on household energy burden. The Sun+1
Important points:
- Application opens on November 1, 2025 — so that is the critical date for Tennessee residents. The Sun
- Household income must be at or below 60% of the state median income. The Sun+1
- The funds don’t go directly to households: instead, the payment is sent to the household’s utility provider as a credit. The Sun
- Applicants must submit documents such as ID, Social Security number, proof of income, and a recent utility bill. The Sun
While the maximum is lower than in North Dakota, $750 is still meaningful — and for many households the difference between paying an affordable bill vs. scrambling to keep the lights or heat on.
Who’s eligible — and what you should check
Although each state’s programs differ, several eligibility criteria are common across the board:
- Income limits: Many programs require household income to fall at or below a set percentage of the state median income (often 60%). For example, North Dakota’s LIHEAP program uses this metric. The Sun+1
- Residency: You must reside in the state and often in the county/area served by the administering agency.
- Utility service: Many programs stipulate you must have a utility account (electricity, gas, heating fuel) in your name or shared.
- Application/documentation: In states like Tennessee, you’ll need to provide proof of income, ID, billing history, and a current utility bill. The Sun
- Deadline or application window: The November 1 date is key for Tennessee; for North Dakota the window started October 1. California’s credits are automatic for many customers, but you still must be a qualifying customer of a participating utility.
It is critical to act early. Funding is limited, first-come first-served in many cases, and deadlines matter. Missing the window could mean missing out entirely.
What you should do if you’re eligible
Here’s a step-by-step checklist to help you navigate the process:
- Check your state’s program — Determine whether you reside in California, North Dakota or Tennessee and whether your utility account and income situation make you eligible.
- Gather documents — Be ready with ID, utility bills, proof of income, Social Security numbers for all adults in the household, and other documentation as required. For Tennessee, this is specifically mentioned. The Sun
- Fill out the application (if required) —
- For Tennessee: Applications open Nov 1, so set a reminder.
- For North Dakota: Apply as soon as possible (since the window is open) to secure funds.
- For California: Confirm you receive service from a participating utility and check your next bill to see the credit; no application needed for many customers.
- Apply early — Don’t wait until the last minute. Funds may be depleted before deadlines.
- Check your utility bill — After approval (or for automatic programs), watch your utility bill to ensure the credit has been applied. If it doesn’t appear, reach out to your utility or administering agency.
- Share with others — These programs are meant to help, and many people may not know about them. If loved ones or neighbors may qualify, let them know.
Why the benefit amounts differ so much
You may wonder why North Dakota offers up to $1,100, Tennessee up to $750, and California’s credits are much lower. The differences stem from several factors:
- Program type: North Dakota and Tennessee’s offerings are tied to LIHEAP, a federal program administered by states with flexible benefit levels based on state funding and household need. California’s Climate Credit is a state-level dividend from its carbon-pricing/Cap-and-Invest program, distributed broadly and automatically.
- Cost of living / energy burden: States with harsher winters or higher heating fuel needs often allocate larger benefits.
- State budget and allocation: The amount of federal/state funds available and how they’re allocated influences benefit size.
- Administration & eligibility: Some states set stricter eligibility or offer smaller benefits to a broader population; others target deeper assistance to fewer households.
In short: while the headline “up to $1,100” grabs attention, the actual benefit you receive depends on your state, your household energy burden, your income and your timing.
What to watch out for
- Fake emails or scams: Be cautious of any unsolicited contact offering “energy bill credit” if you’re asked for a payment or sensitive information upfront. Always verify with your state’s official website or your utility provider.
- Application deadlines: Missing the window in states like Tennessee could mean losing out.
- Utility account status: If your account is not current, or changed recently, check with the utility whether you’re still eligible.
- Changes in service providers: For California customers, only those with certain investor-owned utilities may receive the Climate Credit. Municipal utilities may be excluded. Wikipedia+1
- Complying with documentation requirements: Mistakes or missing paperwork can delay or reject your application.
- Funds limited: Even if eligible, programs may exhaust available funds. Earlier application improves your chances.
Final thoughts
If you live in California, North Dakota or Tennessee and meet the eligibility criteria — importantly your income threshold — this is a valuable opportunity to reduce your upcoming energy bills. In North Dakota, up to $1,100; in Tennessee, $174 to $750; in California, automatic credits for millions of households. But the November 1, 2025 deadline (especially for Tennessee) means time is of the essence.
Don’t wait until the first chilly nights to realise you missed an application window: check your eligibility today, prepare your documents, and ensure your utility account is ready. The energy-burden relief may be just one application (or even automatic) away — but if you delay, it could be gone.
Stay warm, stay informed — and let this benefit work for you.