Financial assistance sources may have needs based requirements.
Utility disconnects are not a surprise
Progress Energy gives the customer a notice when the bill gets 60 days overdue. The utility may give the customer another 60 days to pay the bills or refer the customer to a social service agency for financial aid. It doesn't cut off power during heat waves or cold spells. In 2005, Progress Energy disconnected more than 112,000 customers for nonpayment. Its spokesperson says some are down on their luck, but others will just steal power.
Johnston County
The Department of Social Services will make a one-time payment in February 2009 to households eligible for the Low Income Energy Assistance Program. Applications must be made at Social Services between Nov. 3 and Nov. 14. Hours Tuesday through Friday 9-4, except on Nov. 3 and 10, when the hours will be 9-6. Office closed for Veteran's Day on Nov. 11. Households receiving food stamps will automoatically get a check. Call for information at 989-5300 8-5 weekdays.
Benson
- Cleveland Area Ministries, 4521 Bens Circle, Benson, NC 27504; 919-934-0970; Jim and Anna Childers. Provides assistance for utilities, housing, and medical for residents in the Cleveland area.
Johnston, Lee, and Harnett Counties
- Johnston-Lee-Harnett County Community Action, Inc., Drawer 711, 1102 Massey St., Smithfield, NC 27577; 919-934-2145. Has fuel crisis fund.
Wake County
- Salvation Army, 215 S. Person St., Raleigh, NC 27601-1423. In support of 2,000 people annually - with PSNC contributions to $105,000. 3,461 individuals assisted with financial help to pay rent and bills. The Army assisted another 54 families and 74 single women (including 102 children) sleep at its shelter.
- Triangle Family Services, 401 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh; 919-821-0790 NOTE: If immediate eviction ask for extention 315 - Triangle Family Services provides two essential services to help families avoid homelessness. First, up to $1,500 in direct financial assistance is provided to help pay for rent, food, utilities, and other essential expenses to ensure the family is not evicted from their home. In addition, case managers provide home-based support that helps families learn how to budget, save money, increase their employment and income potential and connect with other community resources. To qualify for these services, each family must have sufficient income to pay for basic expenses (once their financial crisis has been resolved), and have at least one child under the age of 18 living in the home. Over thirty families, including 75 children, in Wake County, avoided eviction from their homes last year after receiving help from Triangle Family Services.
- Wake County Low-Income Energy Assistance Program, 919-212-7000. Provides assistance to low-income individuals and families who need help paying their energy bills.
- Wake County Social Services - Pays up to $300 to prevent shut-offs.
- Warmth for Wake, Gene English, Human Services Community Resources, at 919-212-7083, or Wake County Human Services at 919-212-7000. Assistance for utilities for low income residents.
Apex
- Western Wake Crisis Ministry, 103 1/2 East Chatham St., Apex, NC 27502; 919-362-0657. 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Monday-Thursday. Serves residents of Apex, Holly Springs, Fuquay-Varina, New Hill and Friendship, or residents in other areas of Wake County with a referral from another agency. Provides food; financial assistance to rent, utilities, heating fuel, medical expenses, and repairs; food baskets during the holidays; dental care items, fans, smoke detectors, new electric space heaters and similar items.
Fuquay-Varina
- Family Aid Council. Go through WCHS Southern Regional Center, 130 N. Judd PKY NE, Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526; 919-557-2501. Instructions say to get and return the applications to Southern Regional Center, 1216 E. Academy St. Applications will be picked up daily. Provides assistance for food, utilities, rent, and some special needs.
Garner
- Garner Area Ministries, 885 HWY 70 W, Garner, NC 27529; 919-772-9100; charity and thrift; M,W, F 9-12 for assistance or M-Sat. 9-1 for sales; Director Joyce Cooper. Essentially must have a Garner telephone number and Garner addresses in ZIP 27529, but may assist part of the Raleigh 27603. No referral required, application used, once every 90 days. Founded 1981. Helps when eviction notices are issued, power shutoffs are pending, and if someone needs gas to get to a job interview.
- American Social Health Associaton took over the 211 lines and is expanding the social services information statewide. After hours, the lines are referred to HopeLine.
Statewide
- Carolina Information and Referral Service, 800-662-7030. 70,000 families will get utility and weatherization assistance from $10 million state fund and others from a $9 million federal fund. Family income must be less than 150% of federal poverty level. $1,000-3,000 for weatherization. Maximum of $300 for heating.
- Energy Neighborhood Fund (formerly Project Share) - 125,000 families helped through Progress Energy's donations of $200,000 plus customer contributions. Distribution is through local social service agencies.
- N.C. Low Income Heating Energy Assist(ance) Program - $1 million in heating assistance from Progress Energy.
- Progress Energy, 888-999-8856 - Increase your energy efficiency and pay for it with a loan from Progress Energy. Loans up to $20,000, up to 10 years to reapy, no collaterol needed, no closing costs or extra fees, and fixed rates for homeowners. Use for heating and cooling systems, storms windows, storm doors, insulation, and other energy-savings home features.
- Public Service of North Carolina estimates a total donatation of $310,000 in 2005-2006 heating system to Salvation Army Heat Care Fund.
- Sprint, 866-827-3290 - Qualified low-income customers under the Lifeline program may receive a discounted charge. Link Up assistance helps qualified, low-income customers pay the activation fee. You may qualify, based on low income or participation in certain public assistance programs.
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