Quick tip: Before you contact any of these resources, collect your utility bills for the past year or so. You might also need to provide proof of income, so be sure to have pay stubs or tax records handy. You should also be looking at ways to reduce your winter bills:
- Add extra insulation to your home
- Use ceiling fans to better circulate heat
- Improve your curtains and shutters to keep warmth in
1) Your Local Utility
The first place to turn is your local utility. Contact your local service provider as soon as you know you may have a problem paying your monthly bill. In most instances, they?ll work with you to find a satisfactory arrangement. One of the best options, especially for anyone on a fixed income (social security, disability, etc.), is a payment plan that lets you make equal payments throughout the year, so you avoid sudden spikes in your bills when the weather turns cold.
For unexpected crisis situations (unemployment, healthcare expenses, repair costs), you might be able to arrange a payment deferral or late-fee cancellation. Be prepared to offer multiple options during your negotiations, and ask what other solutions the utility has to offer. At the very least, they can redirect you to energy assistance resources in your area.
2) Low-Income Housing Energy Assistance Program
The federally-funded Low-Income Housing Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides monetary assistance to help with heating and cooling costs for low-income households. If you receive SSI payments or food stamps, then you are eligible for LIHEAP, though the exact income levels vary from state to state.
LIHEAP provides two types of assistance. The Cash Grant helps families make heating payments throughout the year. Applications for the Cash Grant are due in September. The Crisis Grant provides immediate assistance to prevent service shut-off or to help with heating equipment repairs. Applications for Crisis Grants can be made throughout the year, as needed.
Local action agencies administrate the distribution of LIHEAP funds. To find the agency in your area, call the National Energy Assistance Referral hotline (NEAR) at 1-866-674-6327, or email energyassistance@ncat.org.
3) State Energy Assistance Programs
Energy relief resources vary from state to state, and include programs such as alternative rates, rebate programs, weatherization and home improvement grants and no- or low-cost deliveries of heating fuel.
To find out what assistance resources are available in your state, visit the state?s website and search for ?utility assistance? or ?energy assistance.?
4) City and County Assistance Programs
Contact your city or county health and human services department and ask to speak with an assistance worker about utility assistance programs. Relief programs and the amount of monetary assistance available will vary depending on your location. But at the very least you should be able to find someone who can help guide you through the alternatives.
5) Charities
Non-profit charities across the country have programs geared towards helping households meet their heating costs in times of need. National organizations like United Way and the Salvation Army assist low-income families through local offices.? Other charities ? like Citizen?s Energy Oil Heat Program ? exist primarily to provide heating fuel to struggling families.
Your city and county health and human services offices are the best resource for finding local charities that can help you pay your heating bill when your budget grows tight.
Don?t wait to ask for help if you need it ? there are plenty of people ready, willing and able to help you and your family stay warm this winter!
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About the Author
Rae Eriksen writes about energy efficiency and home improvement for http://www.heater-home.com.
Source: http://www.informationgateway.org/5-ways-paying-winter-heating-bill/
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