At Atmos Energy, helping our communities stay warm is one of our highest priorities and is part of our commitment to Fueling Safe and Thriving Communities. We partner with energy assistance agencies throughout our enterprise and help eligible customers experiencing financial hardship to provide support in paying their utility bills.  

Today is LIHEAP Action Day: the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federally funded program created to assist households in need with their energy costs. Established in 1981 by the Department of Health and Human Services, LIHEAP helps millions of families nationwide pay for the energy needed to heat their homes. The significance of LIHEAP Action Day is to raise awareness of funding assistance available while increasing the number of individuals and organizations that partner with their elected officials to increase support and funding for the program.  

Atmos Energy’s Sharing the Warmth program is supported by donations from customers and the company itself, with funds distributed to local nonprofit organizations that provide utility bill assistance. This past year, Sharing the Warmth received customer contributions totaling $1.05 million which were supplemented by Atmos Energy contributions of $3.4 million. This $4.45 million enables us to partner with 124 nonprofit organizations across our eight states, helping 12,086 eligible individuals pay their natural gas bills. Sharing the Warmth funds are not only used to provide support to customers for utility bills but also home weatherization upgrades and the repair and replacement of customer-owned natural gas appliances and piping.  

In 2024, through intentional outreach, education, and communication with its community action agencies, nonprofits, and customers, Atmos Energy helped more than 57,022 households gain access to over $22 million through LIHEAP, Sharing the Warmth, and other programs. During this winter season our Energy Assistance team has helped 20,065 households gain access to more than $5 million, which is an average of $249 per customer. 

“Our goal is to empower our customers with resources they may not have known are available,” said Christina Christiansen, Atmos Energy manager of public affairs, during a recent Energy Assistance Blitz event. “It’s incredibly fulfilling to provide people with practical solutions to manage their energy use more efficiently.” 

Each year, LIHEAP Action Day provides a partnership opportunity for companies, organizations, and individuals to spread awareness for our neighbors in need. With our Fueling Safe and Thriving Communities initiative, Atmos Energy choses to shed light on this day to make a difference in the places we serve and call home.  

For more information about LIHEAP and other bill payment assistance programs in your area, visit https://www.atmosenergy.com/assistance.