Government Programs to Help
With Utility Bills

Winter Is On The Way…
… and with it – higher utility bills. With gas and fuel oil prices at an all-time high, many people will have difficulty paying for heat this winter. The following programs are just a few sources of government money to assist with utility costs.

$2,500 To Pay Your Insulation Bills…
… Storm windows, insulation and even weather stripping can help reduce your heating and cooling bills. The U.S. Department of Energy offers the Weatherization Assistance Program. Many people are eligible for this program from renters to homeowners, from those who live in single family or multi-family housing to those who live in mobile homes. Preference is given to the elderly and those families with children. You must apply through your state weatherization agency. States allocate dollars to nonprofit agencies for purchasing and installing energy-related repairs. For information on eligibility and where to apply in your state contact the National office at Department of Weatherization, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Mail Stop EE-1, Department of Energy, Washington, DC 20585; 202-586-9220; or go to www.eere.energy.gov/weatherization.

$$ To Pay Your Heating Bill…
… Even if you are not approved by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Weatherization Assistance Program, you might still be eligible for short-term assistance on your utility bill for Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, LIHEAP serves low-income families by offering heating and cooling subsidies, energy crisis intervention to assist in weather-related and fuel supply shortages, and household energy-related emergencies, such as utility shutoffs. The amount of money and eligibility for this program varies from state to state. Contact your U.S. Administration for Children and Families, 370 L’Enfant Promenade, SW, Washington, DC 20447; www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/liheap.

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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 www.aoa.gov/eldfam/How_To_Find/Agencies/Agencies.asp. You should also seek out your local community action agency near your 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
cortland.redcross.org/e-utility.htm

2) Payments Made To Utility Companies To Avoid Shut Off
Charlotte Neighborhood Development/Crisis Assistance Ministry
Charlotte, NC
www.charmeck.org/Departments/Neighborhood+Dev/Housing+Services
/Energy+Assistance.htm

3) $500 To Pay Utility Bills for Seniors Making Up to $22,453
Utility Emergency Services Fund
Philadelphia, PA
www.uesfacts.org/about.html

4) Hardship Funds For People Who Fall Through The Cracks
Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission
PA
www.puc.state.pa.us/general/consumer_ed/energy_asst_progs.aspx

5) Up To $500 in 5 Funds To Stop Utility Cut Offs
Mid America Assistance Coalition-Managed Utility Funds
Kansas City, MO
www.maaclink.org/utility_individual_funds.htm

6) Money For Seniors Who Don’t Qualify For Government
Programs
Share The Warmth Program, Oklahoma Natural Gas
Oklahoma
www.ong.com/residential/customerprograms-sharewarm.jsp

7) Millionaires Over 65 Get 20% Off Gas Bills
Assistance Programs, Philadelphia Gas Works
Philadelphia, PA
www.pgworks.com/new%20site/C0008a.htm

8) Seniors Making $24,400 Can Get $280 Discount
Energy Assistance Program Rate, Sacramento Municipal Utility District
Sacramento. CA
www.smud.org/residential/bill/eapr.html

9) 50% Discount For Seniors 65+ Making $31,992
Utility Discount Program, Mayor’s Office for Senior Citizens
Seattle, WA
www.cityofseattle.net/humanservices/mosc/utility_discount_program.htm

10) 25% Discount On Water, Sewer, And Solid Waste For
Seniors Making $19,248
Low Income Assistance Program, Tacoma Power
Tacoma, WA
www.ci.tacoma.wa.us/power/ResidentialServices/low_income_assistance.htm

11) Pay Only 10% Of Income If Income Less Than $19,245
Percentage of Income Payment Plan, Public Utilities Commission of Ohio
Ohio
www.puco.ohio.gov/PUCO/Consumer/information.cfm?doc_id=93

12) Pay No More Than 6% On Utilities If Income Under $24,464
Universal Service Fund New Jersey Board of Public Utilities
NJ
www.bpu.state.nj.us/home/USFQA.shtml

Utility Discounts On Medical Devices For In-Home Patients …
… No matter what your income, you may be eligible for a discount on your utility bill if someone in your home is dependent on a medical device that uses electricity. Or if you need heating an air-conditioning to care for someone with special needs. Local government offices can be identified at www.govengine.com and your local United Way can be located at http://national.unitedway.org/myuw/ . You can also contact you local area office on aging by calling 1-800-677-1116 or go to www.aoa.gov/eldfam/How_To_Find/Agencies/Agencies.asp.

Here is a list of some sources around the country:

1) 30% Rate Discount To Run Medical Equipment To Care For Paraplegic, Hemiplegic, Quadriplegic or MS Patient
Medical Equipment Discount Rate, Sacramento Municipal Utility District
Sacramento, CA
www.smud.org/residential/services/med_rate.html

2) Rate Discounts For Life Equipment Or Special Needs
Services For Medical Baseline and Life-Support Customers, Pacific Gas and Electric
California
www.pge.com/res/financial_assistance/medical_baseline_life_support/

3) Pay No More For Extra Electricity To Run Medical Machines or Heading and Air-conditioning for Patient
Medical Baseline Allowance, Utility Consumers’ Action Network
San Diego, CA
www.ucan.org/consumer_info/Elec_Bill/reduce_utility_bill.htm

4) Get 25% Discount On Utility Bills With No Income Requirement
Medical Residential Assistance Programs, Municipal Services Division
Santa Clara, CA
www.ci.santa-clara.ca.us/pub_utility/pu_help_paying.html

Low and 0% Interest Loans To Fix Up Your House…
… No matter what your income and as long as your improvements will create a more energy efficient home you can save a lot on interest rates and finance charges by using a subsidized energy conservation loan program. These programs are typically available from your state department of energy, a local government office or your utility company. State and local government offices can be found by contacting your state or city operators or www.govengine.com . Your local phone directory and library can help you locate your local utility companies. Be sure to check them all.

Here is a sample of the kinds of programs available.

1) $35,000 Low Interest Loan For Fireplaces, Freezers, Cloth Washers, Etc.
Dollar and Energy Saving Loans, Nebraska Energy Office
Lincoln, NE
www.neo.state.ne.us/loan/improv.htm

2) $50,000 Low Interest Loan For New Energy Saving Appliances
Energy Loan Fund, Ohio Department Of Development
Columbus, OH
www.odod.state.oh.us/cdd/oee/ELFDS.htm

3) $20,000 Low Interest Loan To Make Energy Saving Improvements
NY Energy Smart Loan Program, NY Energy Research & Development Authority
Albany, NY
www.nyserda.org/loanfund/

4) 0% Interest Loans For Energy Efficiency Improvements
Residential Weatherization Program, Tacoma Power
Tacoma, WA
www.ci.tacoma.wa.us/power/ResidentialServices/default.htm

5) $3,000 For New Storm Doors Or Windows
5% Weatherization Loans, Tideland EMC
Pantego, NC
www.tidelandemc.com/p&sincentives.htm

$750 Rebate For Any Income Level…
… A rebate is another form of free money and it’s available for consumers with any income level as long as you buy a product. Utility companies around the country offer such rebates to encourage energy efficient products that will save you on your heating bill and save them from having to generate more services. Your local phone directory and library can help you locate your local utility companies. Be sure to check them all.

Here is a sample of the kinds of programs available.

1) 70% on Insulation Purchases Up To $700
Home Check, Mid-America Energy Company
Des Moines, IA
www.midamericanenergy.com/html/energy3g.asp

2) $20 On A Lamp and $750 On A Heat Pump
Conservation Services, Tacoma Power
Tacoma, WA
www.ci.tacoma.wa.us/power/ResidentialServices/default.htm

3) $600 For Installing An Add-On Heat Pump
Washington Electric Cooperative, Inc
Marietta, OH
www.weci.org/rebates.html

4) 50% Of Insulation Purchases Up to $200
Home or Business Energy Grant, Sawnee EMC
Cumming, GA
www.sawnee.com/Energy/incentives.htm

5) $150 On A Dishwasher
Energy Star Appliances, Minnesota Power
Duluth, MN
www.mnpower.com/energystar/special_offers/index.htm

$8,000 to Improve Your Home So It Cuts Your Utility Bills…
… This program is called the “Energy Efficient Mortgages Program” and can be used to make energy-efficient improvements in one to four existing and new homes. The improvements can be included in a borrower's mortgage only if their total cost is less than the total dollar value of the energy that will be saved during their useful life. The cost of the improvements that may be eligible for financing as part of the mortgage is either 5 percent of the property's value (not to exceed $8,000) or $4,000--whichever is greater. The maximum mortgage limit for a single-family home is $160,950, plus the cost of the eligible energy-efficient improvements. (Limits may be lower in some areas of the country.) Contact: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 7th Street S.W., Washington, DC 20410; (202) 708-1112; www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/eem/energy-r.cfm.

Newsletter Special…
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