Local Grants And Discounts To Pay Utility Bills

Heating bills are going up and the winter months can create financial havoc with utility bill payments. There are many programs around the country that help people financially and legally from having their utilities turned off. To find programs you may qualify for in your area you must search: 1) your city or township government, 2) your county government, 3) your state government, 4) local non-profit agencies and local development corporations, 5) as well as your utility company.

Make sure you also check with all of the following offices for help in locating appropriate organizations in your area: 1) your local library, 2) your local elected officials, 3) your local United Way and, 4) all housing agencies in your area. Local government offices can be identified at www.govengine.com and your local United Way can be identified at http://national.unitedway.org/myuw. If you are a senior, you should contact your local area office on aging by calling 1-800-677-1116 or see http://www.aoa.gov/eldfam/How_To_Find/Agencies/Agencies.asp. You should also seek out your local community action agency near you to see if they have a program to help you. Find you can find your local agency at: www.communityactionpartnership.com/about/links/map.asp or by contacting the Community Action Partnership in Washington, DC at 202-265-7546

Listed below is a sampling of similar local programs around the country.

1. $200 For 60 + Who Face Shut Off or No Fuel
   Care and Share, American Red Cross/Niagara Mohawk
   Cortland, NY http://cortland.redcross.org/e-utility.htm
   
2. $500 To Pay Utility Bills for Seniors Making Up to $22,453
   Utility Emergency Services Fund
   Philadelphia, PA http://www.uesfacts.org/about.html
   
3. Hardship Funds For People Who Fall Through The Cracks
   Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission
   http://www.puc.state.pa.us/general/consumer_ed/energy_asst_progs.aspx
   
4. Up To $500 in 5 Funds To Stop Utility Cut Offs
   Mid America Assistance Coalition-Managed Utility Funds
   Kansas City, MO http://www.maaclink.org/utility_individual_funds.htm
   
5. Money For Seniors Who Don't Qualify For Government Programs
   Share The Warmth Program, Oklahoma Natural Gas
   Oklahoma http://www.oneok.com/ong/customerservice/programs/ong_share_warmth.jsp
   
6. Seniors Making $29,300 Can Get $280 Discount
   Energy Assistance Program Rate, Sacramento Municipal Utility District
   Sacramento, CA http://www.smud.org/pay/eapr.html
   
7. 50% Discount For Seniors 65+ Making $34,668
   Utility Discount Program, Mayor's Office for Senior Citizens
   Seattle, WA http://www.cityofseattle.net/humanservices/financialassistance/utility.htm
   
8. 25% Discount On Water, Sewer, And Solid Waste For Seniors Making $20,532
   Low Income Assistance Program, Tacoma Power
   Tacoma, WA http://www.ci.tacoma.wa.us/power/ResidentialServices/low_income_assistance.htm
   
9. Pay Only 10% Of Income If Income Less Than $20,535
   Percentage of Income Payment Plan, Public Utilities Commission of Ohio
   Ohio http://www.puco.ohio.gov/PUCO/Consumer/information.cfm?doc_id=93

Income: up to $40,000
State: All
Age: All
Subject Category: Living Expenses/Housing
Money Type: Service
Contact: You should also seek out your local community action agency near you to see if they have a program to help you. Find you can find your local agency at www.communityactionpartnership.com/about/links/map.asp or by contacting the Community Action Partnership in Washington, DC at 202-265-7546
Application: NA