As residential electricity prices continue to climb across the United States, about half (48 percent) of low-income households report struggling to pay their electric bills, according to a new paper from the Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative (SECC), a nonprofit organization that studies Americans’ energy-related behaviors, interests and values.

The “Meeting the Needs of Low-Income Households” paper – which is based on a nationwide survey conducted by The Harris Poll of 2,475 Americans, including 569 who fall into the low-income category – explored the electricity attitudes, priorities and concerns of low-income consumers and the unique barriers that prevent them from engaging in energy programs or accessing assistance.

According to the survey findings, relatively few low-income consumers say that they are accessing common assistance programs. Only 15 percent report utilizing the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), while a mere three percent say that they are receiving assistance from their electricity providers. The most common reason for not receiving assistance (48 percent) is that consumers do not believe that they qualify for these programs.

In addition, low-income households often have characteristics that make it more difficult for them to participate in energy-saving programs from their electricity providers. They are more likely to live in a multifamily property, more likely to live in rural communities and significantly more likely to be renters (55 percent compared to about a third of the U.S. general population).

“Many Americans, but particularly low-income consumers, are facing energy affordability issues today, and with residential rates continuing to rise, the landscape could get even more difficult for consumers going forward,” said SECC’s President & CEO Nathan Shannon. “This research provides guidance for electricity providers and other stakeholders as they seek to connect low-income households with much-needed assistance and engage them in energy-saving programs.”

The “Meeting the Needs of Low-Income Households” paper can be accessed here by member organizations and is available to the media on request. In addition, a webinar on the survey findings and related programs will be held on Tuesday, November 18 at 1 p.m. (ET) with SECC’s Deputy Director Jason McGrade and speakers from Elevate and the Oregon Citizens’ Utility Board.