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

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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 reviewed our survey findings and discussed how they can inform your affordability-focused programs and low- and moderate-income customer service strategy.

Speakers:

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

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SharePoint: https://esource0.sharepoint.com/sites/ResearchInternal/Shared%20Documents/Forms/AllItems.aspx?id=%2Fsites%2FResearchInternal%2FShared%20Documents%2FQuarterly%20Deliverables%2F2026%2FQ2%2FLIEIF%20%2D%20Q2%20pulse%20survey&sortField=Modified&isAscending=true&viewid=052bbe0a%2Dd102%2D463b%2D9e70%2Dc6a646f53fc3
Datawrapper: https://app.datawrapper.de/esource/archive/team/8ctLTlLX/417211 E Source 2026 Q2 LMI Pulse.pdf E Source 2026 Q2 LMI Pulse Survey-transcript.pdf