Welcome to 11th Hour Angels.com!

 



For many people, unlimited credit seemed like it would last forever, and was the security net whenever things went bad. Rising property values allowed homeowners to pull the equity from their homes without selling them, giving them cash for better living standards or reinvestment into other properties or investment options.

Even though there were warnings, we don't think that anybody really believed that things could get so bad. Unprecedented foreclosures over several years now, large stock market losses, large companies laying off tens of thousands of people in one fell swoop, bank failures, and much more economic devastation.....

This has resulted in many people being in dire straits, who don’t know how to deal with situations, circumstances, and emergencies that they never ever had to handle before, let alone learn about, in their entire lives. Like bankruptcy, foreclosure, eviction, credit card debt lawsuits, etc., all the worst things that can happen to anybody.

It's tough having to deal with these legal situations, especially if you don't have any knowledge about them. Most people don't know the procedures and end up unable to do anything but succumb to whatever happens.

But there are good people out there who can help people in distress deal with these types of situations at the last minute, or actually at anytime along the way (naturally it's always best to get help in the very beginning or as soon as you know about a problem). These are what we call the "11th Hour Angels".

Here at 11th Hour Angels, we believe that “guardian angels” come in all shapes and sizes. We believe that guardian angels work through people. Your angels may work through people that you know, or through people who are strangers, or even through people that work in organizations and companies who are very helpful and sympathetic and understanding, who help you work through your problems. As a matter of fact, you might even unknowingly act as an angel to someone in need.

But whether you believe in angels or not, you should find this blog extremely helpful with resources, services and organizations that may be able to help you in your time of need.

Remember, even at the last hour when all seems lost, remember that there's hope, there's help.

In many cases, often what's most needed is simply t-i-m-e! Time to raise money, time to gather resources, time to make plans, time to move, etc. By knowing what to do, it is often possible to get this time.

We'll do our best to dig out and find these resources - people, services, and organizations for you. We'll point out things you should be aware of that can help you, warn you of what to watch out for (because sometimes the people who say they'll help you, are actually only out to get your money!), etc.

Our goal is to become the best source of resources for anyone in distress, where they can be guided to get through their difficult circumstances by knowing their best options, knowing what to do, knowing where to go, and knowing who to contact.

We hope that the 11th Hour Angels.com web site helps lighten your load, helps you deal with your situation, and gives you some empowerment in these times of hardship and difficulty.

(Note: The 11th Hour Angels.com project is a work in progress, and we'll be posting entries whenever they're ready. Please note that the information on the 11th Hour Angels.com web site is not intended to be, nor is it legal advice, and that the proper legal counsel should be contacted for specific legal questions.)

Utility Bills - Financial Assistance for Urgent Shut Off Notices or Get Lowered Bills for Your Family

Assistance & Help in Paying Utility Bills

Have you have received a "Shut Off" or "Disconnection Notice" for an electric bill, gas bill, water bill, or telephone bill, but cannot make payment arrangements, and cannot make the payment that's due? Are you shaking in your boots because you expect your lights, gas, water or phone to be shut off at any minute?

Times are difficult, and there are some services and programs that will pay the bill for you, and you do not have to pay it back. However, you will need to ACT QUICK once you get the notice, because most of the times, these services can only help you BEFORE your service is disconnected.

Or, maybe you need longer term help paying your utility bills throughout the whole year, because you have a low-income, or have been laid off from your job, etc.

In either of these situations, there are several government, nonprofit, and privately funded programs that will either subsidize and pay your urgent immediate bill, or will help you get lower rates for your utility bills throughout the year.

But you need some guidance in finding these organizations and services that are your "11th Hour Angels". Many times, these programs have names that are obscure and not "user-friendly", so the organizations are not easy to find. You will need to call the organizations to see if they can help you, and ask questions. Be persistent.

Below we have compiled a chart of sources and organizations listed by state that can help you with your utility bills. So click on your state to find the help you need, the "11th Hour Angels" that can provide some relief for you in these difficult times.

When you click on the link, a page will open with several sources or more information for you to check out. This section will be updated as more information is gathered.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE: The layout, source code, compilation and design of this chart is copyrighted and may not be copied, utilized, or posted, in any other publications without advance permission and authorization in writing from 11th Hour Angels.


List of Resources for Utilities Assistance by State:

Select A State:

Federal |Alabama |Alaska |Arizona |Arkansas |California |Colorado |Connecticut |Delaware |District of Columbia |Florida |Georgia |Hawaii |Idaho |Illinois |Indiana |Iowa |Kansas |Kentucky |Louisiana |Maine |Maryland |Massachusetts |Michigan |Minnesota |Mississippi |Missouri |Montana |Nebraska |Nevada |New Hampshire |New Jersey |New Mexico |New York |North Carolina |North Dakota |Ohio |Oklahoma |Oregon |Pennsylvania |Puerto Rico |Rhode Island |South Carolina |South Dakota |Tennessee |Texas |Utah |Vermont |Virginia |Washington |West Virginia |Wisconsin |Wyoming

 

REMEMBER THIS WORD - LIHEAP! It stands for "Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program" (LIHEAP) and is a federally funded program of the US Department of Health and Human Services that helps low-income households with their home energy bills. But it provides the funds to the states, so it works locally through your local government organizations.

You can call the National Energy Assistance Referral (NEAR) project. NEAR is a free service providing information on where your can apply for LIHEAP. You can speak to someone at NEAR Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m.- 5 p.m. (Mountain Time).

You can call the toll-free phone number at: 1-866-674-6327, send an e-mail to: energy@ncat.org or you can contact your State's LIHEAP office

Also, click this link for the LIHEAP Clearinghouse web page

FEDERAL
Organization	Web Site
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)	A federally funded program of the US Department of Health and Human Services that helps low-income households with their home energy bills.
To contact your state's LIHEAP main office, here is a list of the states with the contact information:	State by State

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ALABAMA
Organization	Web Site
Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)	Get Help Paying Your Utility Bills

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ALASKA
Organization	Web Site
Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)	Get Help Paying Your Utility Bills

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ARIZONA
Organization	Web Site
Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)	Get Help Paying Your Utility Bills

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ARKANSAS
Organization	Web Site
Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)	Get Help Paying Your Utility Bills

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CALIFORNIA
Organization	Web Site
Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)	Get Help Paying Your Utility Bills
SCE Edison	If you have difficulty paying your Southern California Edison (SCE) bill, contact SCE to find out about new payment options to avoid shut off.
California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC)	The CPUC may be able to help you negotiate a payment plan with your energy, telephone or water bills.
California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) Resources List	A list of some utilities that have shareholder-funded emergency payment assistance programs for their customers, which provide cash assistance to help offset the costs of heating and cooling their homes. There are also other plans that may be of assistance to you in managing your energy bills.

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COLORADO
Organization	Web Site
Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)	Get Help Paying Your Utility Bills
LEAP, Denver	LEAP in Denver is designed to pay a portion of your heat bill during the winter season. LEAP, also known as LiEAP, provides emergency assistance when a family receives a shut-off notice or when heat has already been shut-off. Households that qualify will receive an amount based on the cost of the heat bill, the number of people living in the home, and the household income. The 2010 - 2011 program year begins November 1, 2010. If you need heating assistance while LEAP is closed, please contact HEAT HELP at 1-866-432-8435.

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CONNECTICUT
Organization	Web Site
Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)	Get Help Paying Your Utility Bills

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DELAWARE
Organization	Web Site
Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)	Get Help Paying Your Utility Bills

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DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Organization	Web Site
Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)	Get Help Paying Your Utility Bills

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FLORIDA
Organization	Web Site
Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)	Get Help Paying Your Utility Bills

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GEORGIA
Organization	Web Site
Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)	Get Help Paying Your Utility Bills

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HAWAII
Organization	Web Site
Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)	Get Help Paying Your Utility Bills

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IDAHO
Organization	Web Site
Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)	Get Help Paying Your Utility Bills

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ILLINOIS
Organization	Web Site
Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)	Get Help Paying Your Utility Bills

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INDIANA
Organization	Web Site
Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)	Get Help Paying Your Utility Bills

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IOWA
Organization	Web Site
Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)	Get Help Paying Your Utility Bills

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KANSAS
Organization	Web Site
Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)	Get Help Paying Your Utility Bills

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KENTUCKY
Organization	Web Site
Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)	Get Help Paying Your Utility Bills

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LOUISIANA
Organization	Web Site
Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)	Get Help Paying Your Utility Bills

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MAINE
Organization	Web Site
Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)	Get Help Paying Your Utility Bills

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MARYLAND
Organization	Web Site
Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)	Get Help Paying Your Utility Bills

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MASSACHUSETTS
Organization	Web Site
Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)	Get Help Paying Your Utility Bills

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MICHIGAN
Organization	Web Site
Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)	Get Help Paying Your Utility Bills

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MINNESOTA
Organization	Web Site
Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)	Get Help Paying Your Utility Bills

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MISSISSIPPI
Organization	Web Site
Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)	Get Help Paying Your Utility Bills

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MISSOURI
Organization	Web Site
Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)	Get Help Paying Your Utility Bills
Energy Crisis Intervention Program - Northeast Community Action Corporation (NECAC)	www.necac.org/Pages/Questions_EA_01.aspx Here's the 12 counties and office locations/phone numbers that NECAC serves

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Fox2Now June 19, 2010 Associated Press
More People Seeking Help with Their Utility Bills This Summer in Northeast Missouri
According to the article, "Janice Robinson of the North East Community Action Corporation, which covers 12 counties, says NECAC began the Energy Crisis Intervention Program on June 1 with $446,709. Robinson says half of that money is already gone."


 

MONTANA
Organization	Web Site
Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)	Get Help Paying Your Utility Bills
NorthWestern Energy	Help Paying My Energy Bill

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NEBRASKA
Organization	Web Site
Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)	Get Help Paying Your Utility Bills
NorthWestern Energy	Help Paying My Energy Bill

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NEVADA
Organization	Web Site
Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)	Get Help Paying Your Utility Bills

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NEW HAMPSHIRE
Organization	Web Site
Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)	Get Help Paying Your Utility Bills

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NEW JERSEY
Organization	Web Site
Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)	Get Help Paying Your Utility Bills
PSEG	Need Help Paying Your Energy Bill? Help Is Available!
New Jersey Shares	New Jersey SHARES, Inc. is a non-profit organization charged with a mission to provide assistance to individuals and families living in New Jersey who are in need of temporary help in paying their energy bills. NJ SHARES is the only statewide, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization which provides grants to pay the energy and utility bills of households in need, through a statewide network of more than 252 community-based social service agencies operating out of 279 sites.

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NEW MEXICO
Organization	Web Site
Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)	Get Help Paying Your Utility Bills
PNM is New Mexico's largest electricity provider.	Get Help Paying Your Electricity Bill

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NEW YORK
Organization	Web Site
Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)	Get Help Paying Your Utility Bills
New York State, Public Service Commission (PSC)	If your service has been, or is about to be, terminated for non-payment, you can call the PSC special toll-free Emergency HOTLINE, 1-800-342-3355 between 7:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m . EST on business days for PSC staff assistance if a utility has terminated, threatened to terminate, or refused to provide residential electric, natural gas or steam service.
The Public Utility Law Project of New York (PULP)	The Customer Help and Information Center is for individuals with energy, telecom, or other utility problems, and for legal aid lawyers and advocates seeking information or consultation to better assist their low income clients. They can receive advice from highly qualified PULP staff, by e-mail or telephone. Continuous utility service is essential to life, health, and the well being of households, their neighbors, and communities. PULP is committed to providing information needed to halt or reverse utility terminations and denials.

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NORTH CAROLINA
Organization	Web Site
Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)	Get Help Paying Your Utility Bills
PSNC Natural Gas	Can I Get Help Paying My Energy Bill?

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NORTH DAKOTA
Organization	Web Site
Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)	Get Help Paying Your Utility Bills

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OHIO
Organization	Web Site
Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)	Get Help Paying Your Utility Bills

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OKLAHOMA
Organization	Web Site
Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)	Get Help Paying Your Utility Bills

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OREGON
Organization	Web Site
Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)	Get Help Paying Your Utility Bills

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PENNSYLVANIA
Organization	Web Site
Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)	Get Help Paying Your Utility Bills
PPL Electric Utilities	Need Help Paying Your Utility Bill?

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PUERTO RICO
Organization	Web Site
Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)	Get Help Paying Your Utility Bills

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RHODE ISLAND
Organization	Web Site
Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)	Get Help Paying Your Utility Bills

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SOUTH CAROLINA
Organization	Web Site
Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)	Get Help Paying Your Utility Bills
SCE&G Energy	Are There Programs to Help Pay My Energy Bill?

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SOUTH DAKOTA
Organization	Web Site
Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)	Get Help Paying Your Utility Bills
NorthWestern Energy	Help Paying My Energy Bill

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TENNESSEE
Organization	Web Site
Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)	Get Help Paying Your Utility Bills

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TEXAS
Organization	Web Site
Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)	Get Help Paying Your Utility Bills
Lubbock - Neighborhood House	There are a couple of state funded organizations in Lubbock, Texas that can assist with utility payments like "Neighborhood House". They can actually help with up to $1,200 each year on a person's utility bills. They pay electricity and gas and also pay water if your water and electricity bills are combined. Call immediately when you get a disconnect notice because they can only help BEFORE any utilities are shut off.

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UTAH
Organization	Web Site
Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)	Get Help Paying Your Utility Bills

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VERMONT
Organization	Web Site
Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)	Get Help Paying Your Utility Bills

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VIRGINIA
Organization	Web Site
Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)	Get Help Paying Your Utility Bills

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WASHINGTON
Organization	Web Site
Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)	Get Help Paying Your Utility Bills

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WEST VIRGINIA
Organization	Web Site
Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)	Get Help Paying Your Utility Bills

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WISCONSIN
Organization	Web Site
Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)	Get Help Paying Your Utility Bills

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WYOMING
Organization	Web Site
Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)	Get Help Paying Your Utility Bills

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Seniors - California - Senior Legal Hotline

Senior Legal Hotline - a nonprofit agency providing free legal advice, assistance, and education for seniors.
http://www.seniorlegalhotline.org

 This web site has a wealth of free information and is superb. 

Eviction - California - Resources and organizations

California Courts - Self Help Center
http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp/

California Courts - Self Help Center - Landlord/Tenant
http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp/other/landten.htm

LawHelp California Housing
http://www.lawhelp.org/CA/StateSubTopics.cfm/County/%20/demoMode/%3D%201/Language/1/State/CA/TextOnly/N/ZipCode/%20/LoggedIn/0/iTopicID/835/sTopicImage/g-housing.gif/bAllState/0

ForeclosureInfoCA.org
ForeclosureInfoCA.org is a project of the Public Interest Clearinghouse and the State Bar of California.

Utility bills - Late or Can't Pay Them? Electric, Gas, Water, Phone About to Be Shut Off?

Tips for Paying Your Late Utility Bills

Are you late with any of your utility bills and can't pay them? Are you shaking in your boots because you expect your lights, gas, water or phone to be shut off at any minute?

During these difficult and stressful times of survival, sometimes the priority of the moment is buying food for the family, and buying gas to get to work, and other bills have to take a temporary back seat. For households that have always paid their bills on time when times were stable, it's difficult to deal with the reality of not being able to pay the bills on time.

If you have fallen behind with any of your utility bills, it's easy to jump to the ultimate worst case fear and dread that your lights, gas, water or phone will be turned off any day by the utility companies.

Most of the time, we're in fear because we don't want to look at the thing that scares us. We don't want to deal with it, we avoid it, and as a result, the "unknown" may hang over your head and seem much bigger than it really is.

Avoiding the Worst Case Scenario:

One thing is for sure, if you don't do anything about it, and don't deal with it, the worst case scenario will probably take place. At that point, if your electric, gas, water, or phone are shut off, you will have to come up with ALL the money owed, PLUS often a security amount too, and a re-connection fee, in order to get it turned back on. If you didn't have the money to pay it in the first place, now you will probably have to borrow money from family and friends, or get a payday advance in order to pay the total amount due.

But you can avoid this worst case scenario. If you know that there are things you can do, the situation is alleviated and you can breathe a sigh of relief.

Little Known Secret: Utility Companies Will Often Give You Payment Extensions, or Even Make Payment Arrangements!

You may not have known this, but most of the time, the utility companies will give you a payment extension, or even make payment arrangements for the amount that is due, sometimes even split into 2 or 3 payments that make it manageable for you, depending on the utility company.

The utility company representatives are your "11th Hour Angels" in this situation. They can help you.

Sometimes, even if you have received a "Shut Off" or "Disconnection Notice", you can still get a payment plan, and once you have a payment plan, your service will not be interrupted. The important thing is to follow these tips and communicate with them to let them know that you are having some difficulty, but want to make arrangements to pay your bills.

However, if you have received a "Shut Off" or "Disconnection Notice", and cannot make payment arrangements, there are services that will pay the bill for you, and you do not have to pay it back. However, you will need to ACT QUICK once you get the notice, because most of the times, these services can only help you BEFORE your service is disconnected.

Or, if you need longer term help paying your utility bills throughout the whole year, and are low-income, there are several government, nonprofit, and privately funded programs that will either subsidize, or lower your utility bills.

If either of these are the case for you, we have a list of the services, state by state, on the following page:
http://11thhourangels.blogspot.com/2010/06/utility-bills-financial-assistance-for.html

Here are some tips and suggestions that can help you get by, until you can make the payment.

1. Before You Call the Utility Company, Try to Make Any Payment You Can, Even if it's a Small Token Payment, to Show a Good Faith Effort

It always helps to make a small payment before you call, even if you only make a $20 or $25 payment, for example, when you owe $100, especially if you're behind a month or more. This way, you can begin the call to the representative on a positive note. For example, you can say, "Hello, I just made a payment on my account, and wanted to check if it shows in your records." The representative will look at your record, and will say something like, "Yes, your payment of $25 has been credited. How can I help you?"

Your call will go much smoother since you have made some payment that shows a good faith effort. Now, you can let the representative know that you would like a payment extension or to make payment arrangements for the balance. Sometimes they will ask you when you can make the payment. So be prepared with a calendar in front of you so you're not stumbling around and can ask for the date that you want.

You can either ask for a far-out date like a month away and see if they can do it. Or ask if you can split it into several payments. Sometimes they will put you on hold and check if they are able to go out that far. When they come back on the line, they will tell you if it's approved, or will give you the farthest date that they can go. But they should be able to work something out with you. By making the arrangements, your utility will not be shut off.

2. Before You Call the Utility Company, Get a Grip on What You Owe

Whether you missed a payment, or are late with the current bill, the first step is to get a grip on what you owe. To get a grip, it helps to make a chart similar to the one below, to help you see the whole picture. Go back 6 months if possible, or as many months as you want. There's a reason for doing this chart, even if you've paid your bill on time previously. We'll use an electric bill as an example.

EXAMPLE:
ELECTRIC BILL, and the current date is July 6th.

Date of the bill	Amount Due	Date due	Status
Jan 15	$ 122.50	Feb 10	PAID
Feb 15	$ 130.74	Mar 10	PAID
Mar 15	$ 127.94	Apr 10	PAID
Apr 15	$ 115.45	May 10	PAID
May 15	$ 122.67	Jun 10	Past due
Jun 15	$ 106.33	Jul 10	No yet past due

So your latest bill shows that the total amount due is $229.00, which seems like a lot of money since you can't make the payment. But by doing this chart, you see the the "past due" amount is only $122.67. And you see that the $106.33 isn't past due yet, since in our example, the current date is July 6, and this payment is due on July 10. So it's not as bad as it seemed, it's more manageable!

So let's deal with the $122.67 that is past due. If you make a small payment of $25.00 before calling the utility company, that leaves a balance of $97.67 to make arrangements on. The situation doesn't seem as bad now. Sometimes you'll get an extension for the past due amount, and then you will need to call later after the current bill becomes due. Other times, they combine the bills and make a payment arrangement for the whole amount.

3. Making the Payments:

There are a variety of ways to make your payments, but they're not all instant. So here's a guideline on how to get your payments credited to your account as soon as possible.

By Phone: Sometimes the utilities allow you to make the payment by phone by debit card or credit card, and these payments are credited right away. If it's free or the fee is inexpensive i.e. $1 or $2, it's usually the most convenient way to make the payment and it's credited immediately to your account. But all the utility companies don't have this ability, some only allow check payments by phone, so be sure to check with your utility company.

Utility Web Site: Many times you can make your payments on the utility company's web site. But check if the payment is credited instantly or not.

Check Cashing Centers: If you make your payments in person at check cashing centers that take payments for utilities and bills, make sure that the payments will go through immediately. Sometimes these check cashing centers accept the payments, but it takes several days for them to be processed. If you're on a deadline, this can be devastating. So ask the check cashing center if it's instant or how long it will take for the payment to be credited to your account. If you're in no rush, it's not a problem.

Authorized Payment Centers: But if you need the payment to be credited instantly, check with the utility company for "authorized" payment locations in your area. These authorized payment locations often have computers that are often tied in directly to the utility company, sod the payment goes through right when you make the payment. There's also often no fees to make the payment at these authorized payment locations.

KEY TIPS:

Communication is Vital: The most important thing is to make contact with the utility company. Because once you make payment arrangements with the utility company, your account will not be shut off.

Before You Make the Call: Take a minute to breathe deeply and relax as much as you can. Close your eyes and visualize the outcome that you want, see yourself thanking the representative for helping you with your situation, and maybe say a little prayer.

Friendly and Nice: When you call the utility company, it's important to get somebody who will work with you. So be friendly, be nice, and realize that they are doing you a favor, they are your 11th Hour Angels. Don't be demanding, or offensive, or mad, etc.

Abort the Call if it's Going Badly: When you call the utility company, sometimes you get a representative who seems to have gotten up on the wrong side of the bed. If the call is going badly, and they don't seem to want to help you out, don't get upset and argue with them, it's not worth it. Just ABORT the call by hanging up! They'll just think that the line was disconnected by mistake. They won't try to call you back, because they're in a call center so they will move on to take their next call. So just call back again and you'll get somebody new, usually a really nice person who will work things out with you.

Sometimes the representative isn't helpful because they're a new representative and are going by the strict rules and they don't have the flexibility or ability or authority or knowledge to help you. Other times, it's just their rotten personality. The reason doesn't really matter. Again, don't get into an argument, the simplest thing to do is to just realize that you got a bad person on the line, and to hang up and try again.

Jot Down the Payment Arrangements:Be sure to jot down the payment arrangement dates on a calendar so that you can make the payment by the due date.

If You Can't Make It: What if you can't make the payment by the date you agreed to? Make a token payment and do the same thing again. Call the utility company and try to see how much more time you can get.

Don't Whine and Complain: It won't help you to tell the representative how broke you are, or to complain how bad things are going. They only need to know that you are willing to make the payments, how much you're going to pay, and when.