For more than 100 years, Entergy has supplied dependable and affordable electricity to customers throughout Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. However, the company’s role goes well beyond keeping the lights on. Entergy has developed a broad range of customer-focused initiatives aimed at helping families manage financial difficulties, while its partnerships with community organizations are helping create new economic opportunities throughout the Gulf South.

Financial insecurity remains a significant challenge for many households across the region. When families struggle to afford energy, the consequences can extend into other areas of their lives, including health, housing and their ability to achieve greater financial stability. Entergy has therefore invested in programs specifically designed to help vulnerable customers maintain essential electric service and navigate periods of financial difficulty.

The company began taking a targeted approach to low-income customer support in 2000, when it became one of the first U.S. utilities to establish dedicated assistance programs for this group. Since then, its support network has expanded considerably. Customers can access direct financial assistance, alternative billing arrangements and help from community organizations that connect them with federal and state assistance programs.

A key resource is Entergy’s Bill Toolkit, an online resource that provides customers with information on managing their bills, improving energy efficiency and finding available financial assistance. The company’s Power to Care initiative provides emergency help with electricity payments for eligible older adults and people with disabilities, helping particularly vulnerable customers maintain access to essential power.

Entergy has also partnered with Single Stop, an online platform designed to make it easier for customers to discover assistance that may be available to them. Through the platform, customers can identify resources related to financial aid, education, workforce training and other forms of support in one place.

The company expanded its assistance efforts during the severe summer heat of 2025. Entergy shareholders, customers, employees and retirees collectively contributed $3 million to support customers struggling with energy costs. Through its Beat the Heat initiative, the company provided assistance with energy bills along with cooling fans, energy-efficiency kits and home weatherization support. The initiative also involved partnerships with local community organizations to reach customers who needed assistance.

Entergy’s community support extends beyond energy-related assistance. The company also hosts Super Tax Days at selected Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) locations, where eligible households can receive free tax preparation. Helping families claim the refunds and tax credits for which they qualify can provide an important financial boost to households already under financial pressure.

According to John Hudson, Entergy’s chief external affairs officer and president of the Entergy Charitable Foundation, the company provides many of the conventional services offered by utilities, including home energy audits, rebates and incentives designed to reduce consumption and monthly expenses. However, he says Entergy’s broader objective is to create a comprehensive support system that gives customers facing financial challenges a more sustainable route toward stability.

The company’s affordability strategy also looks beyond immediate assistance with monthly bills. Entergy is investing in modernizing its electric grid and improving energy efficiency, initiatives intended to reduce delivery costs over the long term, strengthen reliability and support a more sustainable energy system. For customers and communities, these investments can translate into fewer service interruptions, greater rate stability and additional opportunities to reduce energy consumption and household expenses.

Energy affordability is also closely connected to economic development across the Gulf South. Entergy’s specialized offerings for major commercial customers and data centers are helping attract large-scale investments and industries to the region. These developments can generate employment, stimulate local economies and create additional economic opportunities.

At the same time, Entergy’s Fair Share Plus commitment is designed to ensure that large customers cover the costs associated with infrastructure improvements required specifically for their projects. By placing those costs on the customers driving the infrastructure investment, rather than spreading them across the broader customer base, the initiative is intended to help protect households and small businesses from higher electricity rates.

Across Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi, these projects are projected to deliver approximately $7 billion in savings for Entergy customers over a 20-year period.

Through its combination of direct customer assistance, energy-efficiency initiatives, infrastructure investment and community partnerships, Entergy is taking a broad approach to affordability. The company’s efforts are aimed not only at helping vulnerable customers manage immediate financial pressures but also at strengthening the resilience and economic prospects of communities throughout the Gulf South.

Entergy's commitment to corporate social responsibility includes an annual sponsorship of free tax preparation services aimed at assisting customers facing financial difficulties and improving community well-being. Through initiatives such as Super Tax Day events and Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites, we provide free tax filing services and support to individuals across Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas.
 
In the previous year, our IRS-certified employees volunteered over 2,800 hours to help vulnerable customers prepare and file their tax returns. This dedication resulted in over 37,000 Entergy customers benefiting from a total of $42.7 million in federal tax refunds facilitated by Entergy-sponsored VITA sites. The economic impact of these events was substantial, with a total of $64 million applied to the refunds, underscoring the significant influence of our initiatives on the community.
 
During these events, customers gained access to valuable resources and information on tax credits and deductions, including the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), which is instrumental in lifting low-income individuals and families out of poverty. Entergy's tax preparation volunteers assisted customers in determining their eligibility for this and other tax credits, thereby maximizing their tax refunds.
 
Patty Riddlebarger, Entergy’s vice president of corporate social responsibility, highlighted the collaborative effort of employee volunteers with the IRS, United Way affiliates, and nonprofits to provide free tax preparation services to low-income customers. Since its inception, this service has helped over 185,000 families access $330 million in EITC refunds, demonstrating the significance of supporting our customers and communities.
 
Since 2011, Entergy has organized these free Super Tax Day events to assist qualifying customers in claiming the EITC. Employee volunteers have played a crucial role in the success of Super Tax Day, dedicating thousands of volunteer hours to help customers file taxes and claim the EITC. Through services such as financial coaching, budget workshops, and legal assistance, Entergy continues to empower customers to achieve their financial goals and build generational wealth.
 
As the 2024 tax season progresses, Entergy remains committed to providing events and resources to help our customers in need break the cycle of poverty.
 
Until April 15th, customers can continue to access complimentary, face-to-face tax preparation services by arranging appointments at any of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance sites sponsored by Entergy.