How Cold Snaps Affect Lower-Income Americans

When temperatures plunge, heating a home becomes a top priority, but for many lower-income Americans, it also becomes a major financial strain. Rising energy bills during cold snaps can force difficult decisions between keeping the heat on and covering other basic needs.

A Payless Power survey of 1,001 lower-income Americans explored how winter weather impacts energy costs, financial stability, and household safety. The results reveal the trade-offs many families face just to stay warm.

Key Takeaways

• Nearly 1 in 5 lower-income Americans (19%) have skipped meals or reduced grocery spending to afford their heating or electricity bill during cold months.
• Nearly 1 in 10 lower-income Americans (9%) have delayed rent or mortgage payments during cold months to keep the heat on.
• 18% of lower-income Americans worry they’ll experience a utility shutoff during a cold snap.
• 19% of lower-income Americans said their homes are poorly insulated and lose heat quickly during cold weather.
• Nearly 1 in 2 lower-income Americans (49%) report using at least one unsafe heating method during a cold snap.

Heat or Eat: The Cold-Weather Tradeoff Facing Lower-Income Americans

• 19% of lower-income individuals have skipped meals or reduced grocery spending to afford their heating or electricity bills during cold months, with 16% of lower-income Texans doing so.

• Nearly 1 in 10 lower-income individuals (9%) have delayed rent or mortgage payments during cold months to keep the heat on.

• 18% lower-income individuals worry they’ll experience a utility shutoff during a cold snap, while 13% have received a warning, and 8% have been through a shutoff in the winter.

• 19% of lower-income Texans worry they could experience a utility shutoff during a cold snap, and 14% already have.

Freezing in Place: Unsafe Heat & Hidden Help

• 74% of lower-income individuals don’t know where to access emergency assistance, such as LIHEAP. Overall, 52% have never heard of it, and 22% have heard of the program but don’t know how it works or where to apply for LIHEAP.

• 85% of lower-income Texans don’t know where to access emergency assistance, such as LIHEAP or local utility assistance programs.

• 19% of lower-income Americans say their homes are poorly insulated and lose heat quickly during cold weather.

• Nearly 1 in 2 lower-income Americans (49%) report using at least one unsafe heating method during a cold snap, most often a space heater without an automatic safety shutoff (25%).

Cold Weather Shouldn’t Mean Financial Crisis

Cold snaps highlight how fragile energy security can be for people already managing tight budgets. Many lower-income families reported cutting back on food, delaying housing payments, or turning to unsafe heating methods just to stay warm. Limited awareness of assistance programs only adds to the challenge. Expanding access to affordable energy options and improving awareness of support programs could help more families stay safe and comfortable during the coldest months.

Methodology

Payless Power commissioned a survey of 1,001 lower-income U.S. adults, whose household incomes are less than $80,000. Respondents were recruited across cold-weather states, with 201 respondents from Texas. For the question asking respondents to estimate their highest monthly winter energy bill increase, outliers were removed using the interquartile range (IQR) method prior to calculating the average.

About Payless Power

Payless Power provides simple, affordable electricity options for Texans who want flexible energy plans without long-term contracts or credit checks. With prepaid electricity plans and easy account management, Payless Power helps customers stay in control of their energy usage and budget, especially during periods of high seasonal demand.

Fair Use Statement

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