Tennessee has the dubious honor of having more than it’s fair share of hot summers and cold winters. As a result, you pay a higher percentage of your income towards your electric bill than most other Americans. When a high bill hits you unexpectedly, you can still get help from Tennessee electric bill assistance programs.
Federal funding comes from the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). LIHEAP funding is delivered to local agencies who are responsible for screening applicants based on need and qualifications. They provide electric bill assistance to individuals and families who are in imminent danger of having their electricity disconnected due to nonpayment.
Two larger agencies are the Metropolitan Action Commission in Nashville (serving Davidson County) and the Shelby County Community Services Agency in Memphis. Davidson County residents can get electric bill assistance plus additional heating source help, such as gas, propane or even wood. Senior citizens or parents with young children may also be eligible for free fans or air conditioning units through the Summer Cooling Program.
Memphis residents can participate in the On Track program to restore their account to current status. To qualify, residents must be facing an electric bill greater than $600.
Weatherization programs are also available to Memphis and Shelby County residents. Restrictions apply, but you could get help with making your home more energy efficient, thereby reducing your future electricity bills. The Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association (MIFA) is an additional program funded by donations which helps to pay delinquent electric bills for eligible households.
If you are struggling to repay a high power bill, consider getting help from one of the Tennessee electric bill assistance providers. Why wait until your power is disconnected?
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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