How to Get Help with Electric Bill Shut Off – The federal, state and local government in the United States of America including a lot of nonprofit organizations has designed many safety net programs for needy Americans to protect their health and well-being. Government grants for struggling families cover needy individuals and families who are struggling to pay their basic needs for instance rent and utilities. By becoming eligible for utility assistance programs you can lead a long, healthy and independent life and save your limited resources. This guide will throw light on how to get help with electric bill shut-off.
Highlights of this Post
What Are The Eligibility Criteria To Qualify For Electric Bills Shut-Off Assistance Programs?
You can apply for a wide array of government assistance programs if you are navigating financial hardship or utility shut-off notices. However, to seek assistance you need to fulfill certain eligibility criteria that may vary depending on your location, the organization or agency giving the grant and the type of program you are applying for.
Utility assistance programs take a lot of factors into consideration before providing financial assistance to needy families and struggling individuals. Following is the list of general criteria that you need to meet to receive assistance.
Citizenship or Immigration Status
The first and foremost criteria that individuals facing utility shut-off notices have to meet is to be a citizen of the United States or have eligible immigration status. The grant-giving authority will seek citizenship or immigration documents along with your application form.
Household Size and Income
Fulfilling the household size and income criteria set by the program is critical for individuals applying for utility assistance programs from the government and nonprofit organizations. As per the guidelines individuals need to earn less than 50% of the average income for the metropolitan area or the county of their residence.
Age And Disability
Depending on the type of utility assistance program you are applying to you need to meet the age, medical or disability requirements of the program. Some programs also take rental history and criminal background information into account before providing grant funds to the candidates.
What Are The Documents Required To Get Help With Electric Bill Shut-Off Assistance?
Candidates who have received electric bill shutoff notices and need assistance in their dire situation need to submit the following documents:
- Identification documents for instance passport, birth certificate, school registration, government-issued photo ID, driver’s license etc.
- Proof of benefits that you are receiving from the federal government in the form of SNAP, housing subsidy, Medicaid, TANF etc.
- Social Security card of the applicant including the other household members
- Proof that you are going through financial hardship for instance past due eviction notice, failed inspection report, utility shutoff notices etc.
- Income verification documents such as pay stubs, bank statements, wage statements, tax forms etc.
- Proof of your current address such as a copy of the lease, rental or lease agreement, utility bills etc.
What Can I Do If My Electricity Is Disconnected?
Low-income individuals or families who are finding themselves in the dark and at risk of utility cut-off can take the following steps:
- Contact the energy crisis intervention program which assists vulnerable communities in crisis or emergency. Individuals who have received a 24-hour disconnection notice from the utility company will qualify for utility assistance under the guidelines of ECIP.
- Contact your utility or electricity provider to see if there are any emergency relief options or a payment plan to maintain the service
- See if you can qualify for assistance under the state low-income list administrator
- You can consider filing for bankruptcy even though it is not worth the long-term consequences. Utility companies are prohibited from discontinuing utility services for customers who have filed bankruptcy petitions.
What Are The Available Government Programs That Help Electric Bill Shut Off Programs?
Weatherization Assistance Program(WAP)
The Weatherization Assistance Program has been developed by the Department of Energy. This initiative assists inhabitants of the United States in saving money by providing them with energy-efficient services. As we all know, energy-efficient appliances can prevent a significant portion of your salary from being wasted on an electricity bill. WAP offers services to assist you in obtaining energy-efficient appliances as well as financial assistance to help you get out of an electric shut-off situation.
For low-income families and individuals, weatherization might be prohibitively expensive. However, once you’ve weatherized, you’ll be able to save a significant amount of energy, making it cost-effective in the long term.
Home Energy Assistance Program
The Home Energy Assistance Program is a federally funded energy assistance program that is geared towards low and extremely low-income households so that they can cover their home energy cost.
In case you are looking for a free air conditioner for senior citizens or disabled people you can apply for the program to purchase and install an air conditioning unit. The program offers financial assistance to eligible candidates who can meet the eligibility criteria.
The applications require proof of age, residency, documents related to your financial and living situation etc. You can contact your local department of Human Services in person or visit the official website to learn how to apply for the program.
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program is a federally funded program that assists low-income households with electric bill shut-off assistance. The annual funding ranges between $3 million to $4 million. The program assists low-income households earning income less than 150% of the federal poverty level or 60% of the state median income.
As per reports of the National Low-Income Housing Coalition of 2022 around 5.9 million families in America receive utility assistance through this program.
Eligibility Criteria
- Candidate should be a citizen of the United States or a legal immigrant
- Candidates should be a participant in federal assistance programs like Supplemental Nutrition Assistance programs, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Programs or Supplemental Security Income.
- They must belong to low-income families and have resources or income within program restrictions.
- They must meet specific needs and tested veteran benefits. You need to contact your local LIHEAP office to learn the application rules and eligibility criteria.
Heating Repair Replacement Program (HAARP)
HAARP is another federal government’s most well-known program for assisting with electricity and utility costs. In different cities, the program may go by different names. This is, however, the most frequent term for it. This program, as the name implies, provides free heating equipment repair as well as replacement. Local Community Action Agencies may be able to assist you with this program.
Temporary Assistance For Needy Families Program
The Temporary Assistance For Needy Families Program is a short-term cash assistance program designed by the US Department of Health and Human Services that assists struggling families with cash grants so that they can cover their basic needs.
Even though the program does not provide direct electric bill assistance, you can use the cash assistance to pay your utility bills on time and move towards self-sufficiency. The program prioritizes disabled individuals, seniors, single moms, low-income families with children and pregnant women.
A three-person household receives assistance up to $447 every month to cover their basic needs. You need to meet the income and household size requirements set by the Department of Health and Human Services to get assistance.
Lifeline Program
The Lifeline Program in New Jersey offers energy benefits every year to qualified disabled and senior individuals who are struggling financially to pay their rent and home energy bills. The program prioritizes individuals who are at the risk of utility shutoff or have received utility discontinuation notices.
The benefits received from this program assist eligible low-income renters and homeowners with natural gas and electric costs. You can visit the NJ Save Application to apply for the program or dial 1-800-792-9745. The program is administered by the New Jersey Department of Human Services.
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Non Profit Organizations That Help With Electric Bill Shut-Off Programs
The National Fuel Funds Network
The National Fuel Funds Network is a non-profit organization that works with a variety of utility providers, fuel banks, community action agencies, and other organizations across the country. This group raises funds for persons in need through charitable donations. They assist low-income families with power and heating expenditures.
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Operations Roundup
Operation Roundup is a program that assists people by providing financial handouts to assist them in paying their utility and other costs, such as heating. This is a well-known program offered by a number of utility companies. This program can assist you with food, housing, and medical bills in addition to power.
The United Way
Contacting the United Way by dialing 211 will help you to receive emergency assistance in times when you’re receiving a utility cut-off notice. A specialist will connect you with a variety of assistance programs in your local area including utility assistance.
The Jewish Foundation
There are around 146 Jewish federations located throughout North America that work to change the lives of needy residents. The foundation addresses the financial situation of low-income earners and helps them with social services and a wide array of supportive programs.
The organization raises and distributes billions of dollars for social services for educational needs and welfare programs. If you are experiencing electric shutoff notices then you can contact the organization to get help with utility assistance.
Operation Fuel
A nonprofit organization founded in 1977 and works throughout Connecticut is known as Operation Fuel. It provides utility bill assistance to vulnerable households who are facing utility discontinuation notices. The organization has partnered with utility bill companies, nonprofits and government organizations to assist households who are navigating energy poverty.
Operation Fuel helps with energy affordability, advocacy, utility bill assistance, efficiency and crisis assistance. The organization provides energy efficiency updates for instance insulation and weatherization so that citizens can reduce their utility bills.
Energy Outreach Colorado
The nonprofit organization known as the Energy Outreach Program provides energy efficiency upgrades, utility bill assistance and advocacy for low-income citizens in Colorado.
Founded in 1989 the nonprofit has partnered with many government agencies and companies to provide utility bill assistance and energy grants to vulnerable households who are at the risk of energy poverty and utility shut-off.
The program provides bill assistance with furnace repairs and replacement and even helps applicants with necessary energy efficiency upgrades in their home for instance weatherization.
Dollar Energy Fund
The Dollar Energy Fund has been working since 1983 to assist low-income households in maintaining or restoring electric service, and help with wastewater, water and gas in their household.
The holistic approach of the organization connects needy people with resources beyond utility bill assistance and helps them attain self-sufficiency. If you are facing temporary financial hardship for instance a medical emergency or job loss then you can receive utility assistance from this resource.
The organization makes sure individuals need not choose between paying their monthly utility bills and purchasing medicine, food or other utilities.
The Salvation Army
A nonprofit-based charity organization popular in the USA and other parts of the world is the Salvation Army. The charity provides temporary support and emergency assistance to individuals who are going through an emergency or financial hardship.
Candidates who meet the eligibility criteria and showcase robust financial need can receive assistance with shelter, food, housing assistance and utility help. The Good Neighbor Energy Fund by the organization works throughout Massachusetts and helps people with utility bill assistance. If you are struggling to afford home energy costs and facing utility shut-off notices you can contact the organization and get help with $300 annually.
Catholic Charities
Catholic Charities assist people in resolving the challenge of getting your electricity turned back on quickly.
Catholic Charities is a national non-profit organization that collaborates with a variety of small and large organizations with the same goal of assisting the less fortunate in their times of need. You must, however, be qualified to get the necessary assistance with the shutoff of your electric payment.
Every applicant must meet the following fundamental qualifying criteria: he or she must be a citizen of the United States of America, he or she must be in financial distress, and he or she must fall into the category of citizens living below the poverty line.
Modest needs
If you’re looking for a quick way to get your power back on, you’ve come to the correct place. You can apply to Modest Needs to get out of a predicament where your electricity has been turned off and you need assistance. Modest Needs is the ultimate solution to the dilemma of “my electricity has been turned off and I need assistance.”
Modest Needs, like Catholic Charities, offers financial assistance to mourning residents around the country who have had their electricity switched off. All you have to do is fill out an application form, which will be submitted online, and attach the relevant documents. Every state has its own set of eligibility requirements.
Community Action Agencies
Low-income individuals or families who are struggling to pay their utility or are facing utility shutoff notices can receive financial assistance by contacting their local Community Action agencies. The agencies comprise case managers who help people to get connected to government services and grants.
You need to visit the official website of Community Action Partnership to find an agency near you and demonstrate your financial need to get help with utility. In case the agency cannot help with direct utility assistance they can give you reference to charitable organizations and churches from where you can receive help.
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Conclusion
Paying for electric bills has become a financial concern for low-income Americans. Around 20 million United States households are behind on their home utility bills as per reports of the National Energy Assistance Directors Association. One out of six households is behind on utility bills and an average utility debt is around $788 till August 2022. By the end of 2022 around 4.2 million households will have their utilities cut off. Living without electricity is a big deal today and you can apply for the aforementioned programs and resources if you are facing utility shut-off notices.
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Learn more about utility and housing assistance programs by exploring our resources. Visit Get Government Grants and read our guide on how to find government grants for struggling families.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to Get Help with Electric Bill Shut Off?
Electric bill shut off grants can help you if you are facing utility shut-off notices. There are a number of services and organizations that can help, even with assistance. Those who want to keep their electricity on can get assistance from government agencies and nonprofits.
How Does a State Assistance Program Help With Utility Bills?
Similar to the federal government’s programs, the state runs a number of programs to assist low-income and needy households with their electricity expenses. These programs can be used in conjunction with government programs such as LIHEAP, HAARP, and others. The state collaborates with service providers to relieve you of your debt by paying all or a portion of your payments.
