Utility Bill Assistance
Bill Assistance for Low Income Households
We understand that it can sometimes be difficult to pay your utility bill, but assistance may be available through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). LIHEAP is a federally-funded program that helps eligible low-income households pay for their home energy bills.
In Cocke County, assistance may be available through Douglas-Cherokee Economic Authority, Inc. (DCEA). DCEA provides assistance with home heating and cooling needs and is open to all households that meet income guidelines. In 2024, Newport Utilities and TVA partnered to donate $26,000 to Douglas-Cherokee to provide assistance to our community.
Project Help
Project Help is a temporary assistance program for customers who have special needs and circumstances to the extent that they are unable to be economically self sufficient. If you have a need for this assistance please contact one of our customer service representatives to apply, or reach out to Douglas Cherokee Economic Authority:
Phone: (423) 623-3066
Fax: (423) 625-9314
Address: 353 Driskill Circle, Newport, TN 37821
Funding for Project Help is from voluntary contributions from NU customers and employees. Customers can contribute to the program as they make their monthly payment, or they may choose to have a set amount automatically billed on their statement each month. If you would like to make a contribution to Project Help, please contact one of our customer service representatives.
Local Organizations
There a many local churches and organizations that offer utility bill assistance to low income households in need.
- Empower Cocke County
- Phone: (423) 532-1308
- Email: [email protected]
- How to Apply: Please reach out to Empower Cocke County directly to determine bill assistance eligibility and determine if funds are available.
- Church of the Good Shepherd (Newport)
- Phone: (423) 623-5051
- How to Apply: Please reach out to Church of the Good Shepherd directly for more information.
- Tennessee Valley Coalition for the Homeless
- Homeless Assistance Helpline: (888) 556-0791
- How To Apply:
- Call the Homeless Assistance Helpline & leave a message with information on your situation.
- A representative will return your call within 24-48 hours
- Once a representative reaches out, you will need to provide a photo copy of your ID + a copy of your NU bill with your account number listed.
- Once approved, TVCH will provide funds directly to NU to be applied to your account.
- Douglas Cherokee Economic Authority
- Phone: (423) 623-3066
- Fax: (423) 625-9314
- Address: 353 Driskill Circle, Newport, TN 37821
- How to Apply:
- Call the number above and ask to apply for Project Help funds through Newport Utilities.
- A DCEA representative will provide an application – fill out and return to DCEA.
- Your application will be reviewed and your eligibility will be determined. If eligible, DCEA will provide the necessary funds to NU to be applied directly to your account.
- First United Methodist Church Newport
- Note: This resource should be used only for small-scale needs (approx. $25). This is not a resource to be used to cover the full amount of a utility bill.
- Phone: (423) 623-6067
- Message: First United Methodist monitors their Facebook messages. →See Facebook page
- How to Apply: Please reach out to FUMC directly for small-scale utility bill assistance.
*Updated February 2025
Variable Budget Billing
Whether it’s a blistering hot summer, or an absolutely frigid winter, our 12-Month Average Variable Budget Billing Program can help reduce the surprises that sometimes arise on your utility bills—especially when seasonal weather forces you to crank up the AC or the heat.
If you’ve been a Newport Utilities customer at your current location for at least 12 months and your account is up to date, you’re eligible to sign up for this program.
Click here for more information on how the 12-Month Average Variable Budget Billing Program works so you can decide whether this plan is right for you.
PrePay Program
Conveniently load funds to your NU Prepaid Account whenever you are able. When your account balance gets low, we will notify you to reload your account.