Cooling bill assistance - Help paying AC or costly summer electric bills

Cooling and air conditioning bill assistance programs by state

Cooling and air conditioning bill assistance programs by state: Many states provide financial assistance to low income families, seniors, the disabled and people with a serious medical condition during the hot and humid summer months.

There is government grant money to pay an air conditioning bill or electricity costs during the summer in order to keep a home cool. Or get payment plans or emergency financial help for AC or electric bills from a utility company.

Find help with paying summer electric or air conditioning bills below. A focus is on providing for people who are most at risk, and this would include seniors, families with young children, and the disabled among others. There are protection programs from utility companies so they can’t turn off electricity during a summer heat wave, or some states will oversee services that provide free fans or air conditioners.

Even if a household were not to qualify for financial help during the summer, there are places to stay cool in many cities/states, such as cooling centers/shelters as listed here https://nchh.org/information-and-evidence/learn-about-healthy-housing/emergencies/extreme-heat/cooling-centers-by-state/ Emergency financial help to pay electric bills during the summer: Financial resources from the government and non-profits will always vary and are limited, especially when it comes to pay cooling bills or providing help during the summer.

However during a heat wave, the amount emergency financial help will generally increase. In other words, funds to help people keep their electric and utilities on during the summer often “ebb and flow” based on the state and temperature in question.

There is typically less funding available from programs such as LIHEAP. Many non-profits, charities, and churches also tend to have limited assistance available, and/or there may be more restrictions or limitations in place as to who can receive help.

If you don’t qualify for any assistance for paying your bills, or if funding is no longer available, then there are some other options. For example, many state and major cities open cooling centers . These are available to anyone who needs to get out of heat or humidity, and the centers will often distribute free water, serve a meal, or hold recreational activities.

Another option is for

Emergency financial help to pay electric bills during the summer

senior citizens and the elderly to stop by a local Agency on Aging office or a senior center. Most towns have these locations open to people over the age of 60 or so. They will be air conditioned, may distribute free box fans, and are yet another place for people to go to get out of the heat or humidity.

Some centers also give senior citizens an AC unit, and look here for free senior window air conditioning systems Local programs that help pay air conditioning or cooling bills or that give free supplies Select a

state or utility company is below for air conditioning bill help or cooling assistance, or if you need more information , find additional details on the LIHEAP program, including the crisis service.

Or those government grants can be combined with the resources below. Hundreds of thousands of lower income families and seniors benefit from this program every year, including during the summer.

Locate the LIHEAP program near you Most states also have some form of “hot weather” rules and regulations. This means your electric or gas company can’t turn off the power used to cool your home when the weather is too hot. The rules are meant to protect struggling low income families and those living in poverty so their health is not at risk.

Find a list of state utility disconnection law programs Alabama has a financial assistance program that opens for enrollment in June. Priority is for disabled, senior citizens, and families with young children. The state also has a crisis cooling program for the sick; however medical requirements are generally waived for the elderly.

Call 800-392-8098 for information. Alabama Power also has a number of assistance programs for seniors and the low-income. They also help pay summer electric costs, payment extensions and other options.

Locate help with paying Alabama Power bills Arizona

accepts applications at local community action agencies. The income guidelines in place are usually set at 150% of federal government poverty guidelines, with focus for people with medical conditions or senior citizens. Some exceptions can be made, and families can apply year round for assistance for paying their electric cooling bills.

Dial 1-800-582-5706. APS has summer cooling bill assistance from Project Share and a Crisis grant program. There is other financial help offered as well to help people keep up with air conditioning bills during the extreme heat.

More on financial assistance from APS Arkansas

will normally process applications for summer or crisis LIHEAP from July 1 to September 30. Low income families and the working poor are primary beneficiaries. In past years up to $700 was paid out, and you will need to apply at a community action agency. In addition, free air conditioners or box fans may be available to families with a member who has a serious or life threatening medical condition.

Telephone number is 1-800-482-8988. Entergy

Local programs that help pay air conditioning or cooling bills or that give free supplies

is the major energy provider in Arkansas. There is a Hot Weather Rule (to protect some seniors or vulnerable for an electric shut off during the summer) to Power to Care grant money for utility bills, free energy savings from weatherization and more. Get assistance with Entergy bills in Arkansas California provides grants as well as other money for paying cooling, utility, and air conditioning bills as part of LIHEAP.

Residents can apply anytime during the course of the year, as there is really no separate winter or summer program. Financial aid is usually offered for people who are within 75% of state’s median income levels. Each local non-profit LIHEAP provider may offer air conditioning bill help, often in combination with social service office develops plan and approach to helping the less fortunate.

Many towns and agencies focus on seniors, or people who are low income and pay a majority of their income towards their utilities. Many cities in California, including Los Angeles and San Diego, also open cooling centers during hot periods. Phone 1-866-675-6623 PG&E of California

provides emergency financial help for utility bills, including during the summer. The REACH program is run in partnership with the Salvation Army, customer service helps with LIHEAP applications in CA, and payment extensions are options too. More on PGE electric bill assistance programs Delaware

– Individuals with a doctor’s note may qualify for a free window air conditioner. The state may also provide emergency utility or electric bill assistance during the summer. Apply at a nearby state service center. Call 1-800-464-4357 or 1-800-372-2022. District of Columbia can help people with a disconnect notice.

This is done from the crisis LIHEAP/benefit program. For regular bills, more ongoing assistance may be offered as well. Eligibility is normally set at 60% of the region’s median income. Dial 202-673-6750 Florida offers cooling bill assistance from April to September.

All funding is first come – served, and applications are normally accepted year round. However that can vary based on the town or city in question. Income conditions are normally set at 150% of federal government poverty level, with a focus on seniors, single parents and the elderly in Florida. Vouchers may be distributed for free fans or air conditioners .

Also state and federal government crisis funds and grants may be available for replacement or repairs to cooling equipment or a new air conditioner. Or the money can be used to restore power. Another option for older adults is Florida is the Emergency Home Energy Assistance for the Elderly Program (EHEAP).

Dial 1-800-963-5337 or 850-717-8450 for information on all these programs.

Florida Power and Light (FPL) is the state’s largest utility company. A number of low-income assistance programs are available to seniors, disabled people and the sick during the summer, and learn how to get help with FPL bills Georgia

will normally process applications and requests for help starting in August, and the program runs until funds are exhausted. Call your local community action agency, and normally people may receive a few hundred dollars if they qualify to help pay their air conditioning as well as electric bills.

Dial 404-657-3426 or 1-800-869-1150 for information or to apply. Or try a local community action agency. Georgia Power programs range from Project SHARE to senior discounts on year round (and summer) cooling bills as well as other support.

Find details on Georgia Power assistance programs Hawaii can help people with a disconnection notice. A credit may also be provided on your utility bill whether you are single or have a family. Home visits can be undertaken in order to help senior citizens and disabled apply.

Dial 1-866-674-6327 or 1-808-586-5740 Illinois

has a small window for applying for cooling bill assistance, and funding is usually offered as part of LIHEAP. Any financial aid offered is generally targeted to households with children 36 months or younger, elderly 60 years and older or members with a medical condition that is proven by a doctor’s note.

Some cities, such as Chicago, may have cooling centers open as well. Call your local community action agency or the Keep Cool Illinois number at 877-411-9276. Indiana can also provide free fans and/or air conditioners to people with a medical condit