Monday, June 21, 2010

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

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

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

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

OrganizationWeb Site 
Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)Get Help Paying Your Utility Bills 
SCE EdisonIf 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 ListA 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

OrganizationWeb 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

OrganizationWeb 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

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

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

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

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

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

OrganizationWeb 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

OrganizationWeb 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

OrganizationWeb Site 
Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)Get Help Paying Your Utility Bills 
PSNC Natural GasCan I Get Help Paying My Energy Bill? 
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NORTH DAKOTA

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

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

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

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

OrganizationWeb Site 
Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)Get Help Paying Your Utility Bills 
PPL Electric UtilitiesNeed Help Paying Your Utility Bill? 
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PUERTO RICO

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

OrganizationWeb Site 
Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)Get Help Paying Your Utility Bills 
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SOUTH CAROLINA

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

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

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

OrganizationWeb Site 
Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)Get Help Paying Your Utility Bills 
Lubbock - Neighborhood HouseThere 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

OrganizationWeb Site 
Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)Get Help Paying Your Utility Bills 
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Posted by 11th Hour Angels Team at 2:35 PM
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3 comments:

  1. AnonymousJuly 16, 2010 at 2:45 AM

    Thank you for providing this website, it is very helpful. I live in California and I need help with my utility bill desparately, however, I am assigned LADWP and they are rude and no help at all. I've called to make arrangements and the answer is always "NO" or "There is nothing I can do for you at this time". Do they not know that we are stuggling to make ends meet? I am really huting.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I give up.August 2, 2010 at 10:45 AM

    I am fighting to keep my electric and gas on,
    I live in upstate N.Y, and I follow the link to resources for my state, and all they give me is heap which that program is closed till fall.
    Everywhere I've turned for help has either denied me, or not given a response. I went to social services 3 or 4 months ago, and applied, jumped through all their hoops and still no reply on help. Tried calling, left several message, never a call back. I've calculated the time I've spent just on hold while waiting for the receptionist to pick up to be directed to the woman's voice mail that handled my application. And in 2 days time I spent 204 minutes on hold just waiting for the receptionist to pick up, by the way over that 2 days I made several attempts totaling 204 minutes and was unsuccessful, but at 5, I got the messages that all offices are closed.
    I've never received anything by mail, or a call back on the few times I was able to leave a message, it's been well over 3 months. Tomorrow more than likely me and my family will be sitting in the dark. I'm not angry,just very confused and beside myself, I don't want any handouts, I've offered to some how work off what I need to get the utilities back on track. I've even applied at the Salvation Army for help, and by the way they were very rude, like I didn't feel bad enough, after I left there I was hoping to get run over by a bus.
    By the guidelines given I am below the financial limits to receive help, but I can't seem to get it.I just don't understand or know what to do, I guess by tomorrow, the choices will be put in place and I'll just have to learn to live the way our ancestors did. I knew writing this will do no good, other than to finally to vent!
    Thank you for listening...

    ReplyDelete
  3. 11th Hour Angels TeamAugust 2, 2010 at 12:21 PM

    FROM: 11th Hour Angels Team
    TO: "I give up"
    Based on your comments, we searched and found the following resources to help you with your situation. The New York State, "Public Service Commission" (PSC) may be able to help you, as well as the "The Public Utility Law Project of New York" (PULP). The links and contact information are here: http://11thhourangels.blogspot.com/2010/06/utility-bills-financial-assistance-for.html#33
    You can email us directly at help@11thHourAngels.com if you need more information.

    ReplyDelete

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