Findings from the E Source 2026 Q2 LMI Pulse Survey: Fraud, stigma, and race in energy assistance programs

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- America/New_York

As part of the E Source 2026 Q2 LMI Pulse Survey, we surveyed more than 500 adults in the US who live in households with incomes less than $75,000. This survey assessed low- and moderate-income (LMI) customers’ perceptions of the role fraud, stigma, and race play in the uptake of energy assistance offerings. We’ll explore these enrollment barriers and how utilities can overcome them.

Utility bills are a major and growing source of financial strain for LMI households—driving stress, forcing tradeoffs and sacrifices, and creating arrears risk. While more and more households are turning to energy assistance offerings to help keep the lights on, customer awareness of these programs is low. Administrative and other burdens also restrict program enrollment.

We’ll review our survey findings and discuss how they can inform your affordability-focused programs and LMI customer service strategy.

Speakers:

Jamie Wimberly, Senior Vice President, Utility Customer Strategy, E Source
Ben Nathan, Director, Affordability and Equity, E Source

Who should attend:

Members of the Low-Income Energy Issues Forum and Equity in a Clean Energy Economy Services and others interested in learning more about the needs of LMI utility customers and gaining a deeper understanding of how to more effectively deploy energy assistance offerings.

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