Alabama residents are blessed to have several different sources of electric bill help. These programs can help those in need keep their lights on.
Alabama Power customers who also receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Aid for Families with Dependents (AFDC) may qualify to have their monthly service charge waived, lowering their electric bill.
Alabama residents can also benefit from the federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). This program particularly targets those with the lowest income and the highest energy bills relative to their income. Recipients must not have household income greater than 150% of the federal poverty level, and preference is given to households with vulnerable members: the elderly, young children, and people with disabilities.
This program, which is managed by the state Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA), can be applied for through your Community Action Agency or local non-profit organization. Jefferson County Committee for Economic Opportunity serves the Birmingham area while Mobile Community Action Agency serves Mobile. Montgomery residents can seek information about the LIHEAP program through the Montgomery Community Action Agency.
The Red Cross administers Project SHARE which helps the elderly, people with disabilities, and families with low incomes pay their power bills. This program is funded by electric companies and their customers.
Most local power companies in Alabama participate in Operation Warm. This program particularly targets those who don’t qualify for LIHEAP. Contact your power company for more information.
The Huntsville Assistance Program can help a limited number of people in the Huntsville area each week who are struggling with their electric bills. Other programs may be available in your community.
The Neighbors Helping Neighbors Fund may help you weatherize your house, lowering your energy bills long-term. The Department of Economic and Community Affairs administers this program.
Hopefully one or more of these electric bill assistance programs will be able to help you out of your crisis situation. Even if you do not meet the strict requirements for a bill adjustment, you may still qualify for cash assistance through a referral to one of the many community assistance organizations that have some funds earmarked for helping individuals and families avoid electricity disconnections due to nonpayment.
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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