IFCS | A Denver Area Food Bank and More to Nourish Lives

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NEED UTILITY ASSISTANCE?

A safe, stable home lays the foundation for a healthy, thriving life.

Keeping your home heated and the lights on isn’t just about comfort—it’s about having the security needed to live and grow. Through our partnership with Energy Outreach Colorado, IFCS provides limited utility bill assistance to eligible households that are behind on electricity and/or gas payments.

ELIGIBILITY AND INCOME GUIDELINES
CONTACT THE 2-1-1 MILE HIGH UNITED WAY HELP DESK
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES IN THE COMMUNITY

Request Gas Electric Bill Payment Assistance

Help with Utility Bill Payment

There are Two Different Utility Assistance Programs: EOC and LEAP. What's the Difference?

The videos below, in English and Spanish, explain these 2 programs and how to apply.

Please note: IFCS does not process LEAP applications. To apply for LEAP assistance, please contact the LEAP program directly, using the details in the videos above.

To explore other financial assistance programs in your area, we encourage you to contact the 2-1-1 Mile High United Way Help Desk to connect with other nonprofits and government agencies. We also invite you to review our list of additional resources.

IFCS works with Energy Outreach Colorado (EOC) to provide utility bill payment assistance. This program is paused from August 1, 2025 – September 29, 2025 and will resume October 1, 2025. An alternative program to assist Xcel customers is available for those who qualify (see below). All utility assistance applicants, whether you utilize the alternative program below or not, may return here for EOC Utility Bill Payment Assistance beginning October 1, 2025.

Alternative EOC Utility Assistance Program

During the months of August and September, 2025, Energy Outreach Colorado (EOC) is referring qualified applicants to Xcel’s Percent of Income Payment Plan (PIPP) program. Review eligibility criteria below, then click the button to create your Energy Outreach Colorado account and fill out the online application:

  1. All interested applicants must create an Energy Outreach Colorado (EOC) account using your cell phone number or email address, and fill out the online application.
  2. The application will verify your income, ask for basic household information including your Xcel Energy account number, ask you to upload a copy of a photo ID and your current bill (showing account number), and ask you to sign an Xcel Energy consent form allowing us to send your information to Xcel Energy for enrollment in their program.
  3. Energy Outreach Colorado will follow up with an email confirming receipt of your application.
  4. If you qualify, Xcel Energy will forgive past-due amounts for your household. They will also review your information to determine if you will receive a monthly discount on your utility bills. 

  5. Xcel Energy will send a letter in the mail if your household receives a past-due forgiveness payment and/or a month-to-month credit. Please allow up to 60 days to receive this letter. Households can also call Xcel Energy Customer Service at 800-895-4999 to set up a payment arrangement. 

You may be eligible for PIPP if you are an income-qualified Xcel customer with one of the following:

  • an overdue bill
  • a disconnect notice
  • disconnected service

Income qualifications are based on county of residence: use this chart to enter your county, then view income qualifications by household size.

TAKE ME TO THE EOC REFERRAL PROGRAM

If you need assistance creating an EOC account and filling out the PIPP application, our resource navigators are happy to help. Click the button below to schedule an in-person meeting at IFCS:

MAKE AN APPOINTMENT FOR IFCS ASSISTANCE APPLYING FOR THE EOC REFERRAL PROGRAM

Questions? Contact IFCS’ Program Team using the form below, or call (303) 789-0501.

CONTACT OUR PROGRAM TEAM BY EMAIL

Between October 1 and September 30 of the following year, applicants may apply one time for IFCS utility assistance. Through our partnership with Energy Outreach Colorado, this program provides bill payment assistance to eligible households behind on their electricity and gas bills. Currently, funds are limited and cannot be guaranteed. Water and other public service bills are not eligible for the program.

  1. All interested applicants must complete an interest form by clicking the link below. This will determine if you meet the requirements of the application. (Please note, the interest form is NOT the application).
  2. If an applicant meets requirements, they will receive a response and need to complete a full application through one of these methods:
    • DocuSign application emailed or texted to the contact information provided on the interest form.
    • In-person at the IFCS office Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
    • A paper application sent via USPS mail to the address provided on the interest form
  3. Once an application has been submitted, it can take up to two weeks for the application to be reviewed and a response will be sent via email or phone call by IFCS staff.

For the IFCS Utility Bill Payment Assistance Program, we have a service area of select cities/counties:

  • Western Arapahoe County: Centennial, Englewood, Glendale, Greenwood Village, Littleton, Sheridan and unincorporated areas of Arapahoe County.
  • Southwest Denver Neighborhoods: Bear Valley, College View, Fort Logan, Harvey Park, Harvey Park South, Marston, and South Platte (Southwest Neighborhoods further defined as being south of Jewell and west of Santa Fe). 
  • Northern Douglas County: Highlands Ranch, Littleton, and Lone Tree.
  • Jefferson County: All addresses within the county will be considered.

Income qualifications are based on county of residence: use this chart to enter your county, then view income qualifications by household size.

Unfortunately, IFCS is unable to extend applications to households outside the above stated areas and income qualifications.

If you live outside the service area of IFCS’ Utility Assistance Program, we encourage you to visit Energy Outreach Colorado to search for other agencies processing applications.

COMPLETE IFCS-EOC UTILITY BILL ASSISTANCE INTEREST FORM

If you would like help applying for IFCS Utility Assistance, our resource navigators are happy to help. Click the button below to schedule an in-person meeting at IFCS:

SCHEDULE AN IN-PERSON APPOINTMENT AT IFCS FOR HELP APPLYING TO THE IFCS-EOC UTILITY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Questions? Contact IFCS’ Program Team using the form below, or call (303) 789-0501.

CONTACT OUR PROGRAM TEAM BY EMAIL
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Eligibility and Income Guidelines

Anyone experiencing food insecurity and self-identifying as meeting the Income Guidelines below is eligible for IFCS Food Market services.

Income Guidelines:
As of March 1, 2025, a household may meet income-based standards in either of the following two ways:

  1. Participate in one of these public assistance programs:
    • Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP)
    • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
    • Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP)
    • Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF)
    • Old Age Pension (OAP)
    • Aid to Needy Disabled (AND)
    • Aid to the Blind (AB)
    • Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
    • Medicaid Eligible Foster Children
  1. If the household does not participate in any of the above public assistance programs, the household must meet the requirements based on the chart below, having a combined gross income not exceeding the maximum income limit for the applicable household size.

For IFCS Financial Assistance Programs (Rental and Utility Bill Payment Assistance) and seasonal Enrichment Programs, we have a service area covering:

  • Western Arapahoe County: Centennial, Englewood, Glendale, Greenwood Village, Littleton, Sheridan, and unincorporated Arapahoe County.
  • Southwest Denver Neighborhoods: Bear Valley, College View, Fort Logan, Harvey Park, Harvey Park South, Marston & South Platte (Southwest Neighborhoods further defined as being south of Jewell and west of Santa Fe).
  • Northern Douglas County: Highlands Ranch, Littleton, and Lone Tree.

  • Jefferson County: All addresses within the county will be considered.

 Applications outside of these listed areas will not be accepted. (Central Denver, North Denver, and Aurora applications will not be accepted.)

Non-Discrimination Statement

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or  retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:

  1. Mail:
    U.S. Department of Agriculture
    Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
    1400 Independence Avenue, SW
    Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or
  2. Fax:
    (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or 
  3. Email:
    program.intake@usda.gov

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

This statement was updated 8.3.22 in accordance with USDA updates and guidelines.

SCAM ALERT

Beware of Fraudulent Checks

SCAM ALERT: Individuals in the community have reported receiving what appear to be checks with Energy Outreach Colorado’s (EOC) name on them, along with instructions to cash the check and send part of the funds elsewhere. These checks are not legitimate and are part of a scam targeting income-qualified households.
 
Please keep in mind:
 
  • EOC will never send you a check directly. All payments are made directly to utility companies on behalf of households.
  • EOC will never call, text, or email you asking for personal identifying information (PII), such as Social Security numbers or bank account details.
  • If you ever receive a suspicious communication claiming to be from EOC, do not respond or take action, and contact EOC or your utility directly to verify.

To return to the Need Utility Assistance? page, click the “x” in the upper right corner.

Eligibility Guidelines

IFCS Enrichment Programs have service area and income guidelines.

SERVICE AREA GUIDELINES:
For IFCS Enrichment Programs, we have a service area covering:

  • Western Arapahoe County: Centennial, Englewood, Glendale, Greenwood Village, Littleton, Sheridan, and unincorporated Arapahoe County.
  • Southwest Denver Neighborhoods: Bear Valley, College View, Fort Logan, Harvey Park, Harvey Park South, Marston & South Platte (Southwest Neighborhoods further defined as being south of Jewell and west of Santa Fe).
  • Northern Douglas County: Highlands Ranch, Littleton, and Lone Tree.

  • Jefferson County: All addresses within the county will be considered.

Applications outside of these listed areas will not be accepted.


INCOME GUIDELINES:
As of March 1, 2025, a household may meet income-based standards in either of the following two ways:

  1. Participate in one of these public assistance programs:
    • Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP)
    • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
    • Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP)
    • Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF)
    • Old Age Pension (OAP)
    • Aid to Needy Disabled (AND)
    • Aid to the Blind (AB)
    • Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
    • Medicaid Eligible Foster Children
  1. If the household does not participate in any of the above public assistance programs, the household must have a combined gross income that does not exceed the maximum income limit for the applicable household size.

ADDITIONAL ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES:
Please refer to the Interest Form for additional, program-specific criteria.