Arizona residents have many options when seeking help with their electric bills. Here are a few programs that may be able to help you in this time of crisis.
As an Arizona resident, you can take advantage of the Home Energy Assistance Program if you are facing a financial crisis and meet the program’s household income limits. You can apply for the program through a community assistance center.
APS customers can get help through their Energy Support Program. If your household income is less than 150% of the federal poverty guidelines, you may qualify. The program allows for up to 40% off of the cost of power.
Your local Salvation Army office administers an energy assistance program called Project SHARE. This program serves those who are facing financial emergencies or those with disabilities with no income. This program may be able to pay your utility bills. If you have experienced a bona fide hardship that has caused a financial emergency, then this could be a very valuable option for you. You just might get the help you need to prevent disconnection of your power.
Arizona residents can also benefit from the federal LIHEAP program (Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program). This program is run through your local Community Action Agency. If you live in Phoenix, you can visit the City of Phoenix Human Services or Maricopa County Human Services. Mesa residents can find out about LIHEAP through the Mesa Community Action Network, while people in Tucson can seek help from Tucson Urban League or Portable Practical Educational Preparation.
LIHEAP can pay for part of your electric bills if you qualify. You must make less than 150% of the federal poverty level. Priority is usually given to families with the highest energy costs compared to their income.
These Arizona electric bill assistance programs are here to help you as a state resident to keep your lights on even when faced with a financial crisis or prolonged financial hardship. Benefits are competitive and there may be a waiting period, so make sure that you bring the required documentation and file an application before any cut-off periods.
Long is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a B.A. in Industrial Relations. He subsequently received his Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Duke University. His Certificate in Financial Planning was issued by Florida State University.
Long has achieved the Accredited Credit Counselor and Accredited Financial Counselor certifications through the Association for Financial Counseling, Planning and Education. Long originally achieved the Certified Credit Counselor designation through the National Institute for Financial Education.
In addition to years of nonprofit leadership, Long has been an innovator in the field of volunteer tax return preparation programs. He assists volunteer associations and nonprofit organizations who seek to integrate credit counseling and asset-building programs with free personal income tax preparation. His approach to using free credit reports as both an incentive and a screening tool for placement into asset-building programs has been shared with members of the National Community Tax Coalition, the EITC-Carolinas Initiative of MDC, Inc. and nonprofit groups across the Carolinas.
Long assists members of our armed forces in the Carolinas, Iowa, Rhode Island, Georgia and Germany with financial readiness. Please support our Soldiers, Marines, Airmen and Sailors!
Favorite quote:
"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not."
Thomas Jefferson
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