Keep the lights on, keep the water on.

Both states have a federal energy assistance program (LIHEAP in MO, LIEAP in KS) — and each runs on a different application portal. There are also shutoff-protection rules that differ by state and season. Call your utility before they shut off. Call them.

Federal energy assistance

Missouri — LIHEAP

Apply through mydss.mo.gov/energy-assistance
Information line: 855-373-4636
Application window: heating Nov 1 – May 31; cooling June 1 – Sept 30.
Crisis component (Energy Crisis Intervention Program / ECIP) — for shutoff notices.

Kansas — LIEAP

Apply through dcf.ks.gov
Information line: 1-800-432-0043
Application window: typically January – March only. Apply early.

The Kansas LIEAP window is short. If it is February or March, do not wait — apply this week.

Local utility assistance funds

United Way's UCare: dial 211 for current eligibility
Salvation Army Project Share: 816-756-2769
Bishop Sullivan Center: 816-231-0984 · MO side
Catholic Charities (MO): 816-221-4377
Catholic Charities (KS): 913-433-2100
Cross-Lines Community Outreach: 913-281-3388 · KCK side

These funds run out and reset on different schedules. Call early in the month. If denied at one, ask which one currently has funds.

Evergy (electric, both states)

Customer service: 1-800-383-1183
Report an outage: 1-800-544-4857
evergy.com — payment plans, budget billing, assistance referrals

Shutoff protections

Missouri: Cold-weather rule (Nov 1 – Mar 31): cannot shut off if forecast is below freezing within 24 hours. Hot-weather rule (June 1 – Sept 30): cannot shut off when forecast is 95°F+ within 24 hours, or heat index 105°F+.
Kansas: Cold-weather rule (Nov 1 – Mar 31): cannot shut off if forecast is below 35°F within 48 hours. Hot-weather: heat advisory triggers protection.
Medical certificate (signed by a doctor) extends protection if someone in the home has a condition requiring electricity.

Water

KC Water (KCMO): 816-513-1313 · kcwater.us — payment plans, hardship.
Water One (Johnson County KS): 913-895-1800
BPU (KCK): 913-573-9000 · municipal, both water and electric for KCK
Independence Water Pollution Control: 816-325-7727
Most other suburbs run their own water — check your bill.

KC Water and BPU both have hardship programs that are not advertised — ask explicitly: "Do you have a hardship program?" or "Can I get on a payment plan?"

Natural gas (Spire)

Customer service: 1-800-582-1234
Smell gas: 911, then Spire emergency 1-800-887-4173
spireenergy.com — DollarHelp assistance, budget billing

Internet

The federal Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) ended in June 2024. As of May 2026, low-income broadband programs are patchwork. Options:

Google Fiber (KC metro): some neighborhoods have free or reduced-cost tiers — check at fiber.google.com
Spectrum Internet Assist: reduced rate, income-qualifying
AT&T Access: $5-30/mo for income-qualifying households
T-Mobile / Verizon "Project 10Million": for households with K-12 students
Libraries: all branches have free Wi-Fi and some loan mobile hotspots — see libraries

Phone (Lifeline)

The federal Lifeline program subsidizes phone service for low-income households. Apply at lifelinesupport.org. Multiple carriers participate; each has different plans. Approval moves you between carriers within the same household.