Tennessee
FY 2012/2013 Low-Income Energy Programs
Federal | Utility | Charitable
Federal
LIHEAP Contact
Public Inquiries: 615-313-3759 or 615-313-3755
Website: www.state.tn.us/humanserv/adfam/afs_hea.html
LIHEAP Administering Agency Contacts
www.state.tn.us/humanserv/adfam/liheap/liheap-agencies.pdf
Weatherization Assistance Program
Local Administering Agency Contacts
Website
LIHEAP FY 2013 Funding (Initial Release under the Continuing Resolution)
$29,882,963
LIHEAP Income Eligibility Level
150% Federal Poverty Level
LIHEAP FY 2011 Benefit
Heating and Cooling: $300 minimum, $600 maximum
LIHEAP Households Served (Estimate for FY 2009)
Heating: 112,368
Cooling: 2,677
LIHEAP Program Dates
Heating, cooling and crisis: Year-round
Utility
Low-Income Rate Assistance
Memphis Light Gas and Water
On Track
A payment program designed to help customers with limited incomes to manage debt and pay off their bills over a period of time. The program focuses on education, financial management and social services. To qualify for the program customers must have a steady, but limited, income and owe more than $600 to MLGW. Participants may receive Extended Payment Plans for up to three years and deposit credited back to the account after completion of program. Applications and more information are available on the website. Call 528-4820 with questions.
www.mlgw.com/residential/ontrack
Low-Income Energy Efficiency
Memphis Light Gas and Water
EnergySmart Memphis
A year-long energy education and home improvement initiative designed to help Memphians save money on their energy costs. Customers will receive in-depth energy conservation training and eligible customers will have weatherization improvements made to their home. As part of the initiative, MLGW also has set aside funds to weatherize of customers who meet federal poverty guidelines.
901-528-4188
www.mlgw.com/residential/energysmartmemphis
Emergency Charitable Assistance
Please note these charitable funds are last resort emergency funds with limited resources and limited times of operation.
Appalachian Power (AEP)
Neighbor-to-Neighbor Program
The eligibility of recipients is determined and funds are distributed by the Dollar Energy Fund. To find out what agency to contact in your area, contact the Customer Solutions Center in Tennessee at 800-967-4237, or the Dollar Energy Fund.
www.appalachianpower.com/info/community/paymentAssistancePrograms/
Athens Utility Board
Warm Neighbors Program
Working with Coordinated Charities of McMinn County, AUB provides a way to help those in need to maintain their service without interruption.
423-745-4501
www.aub.org/cs_warm.php
Atmos Energy
Sharing the Warmth
Customer donations combine with company donations to help people pay their gas bills. All donations go directly to local people in need that meet criteria established by each individual program's guidelines. To contact the energy assistance agency in your area visit www.atmosenergy.com/faq/eaa.html
Clarksville Department of Electricity
- Special Assistance Programs
CDE has programs to assist those who are having trouble paying their electric bill only. If you need that assistance, or know someone who does, please call us so that we can discuss payment plans or our special programs for elderly, ill or disabled customers. We also work with assistance agencies in Clarksville and can refer customers to local programs that may be able to help them pay their bill. Please call us so we can help: 931-648-8151.
- Project Help
This program assists the elderly, handicapped and those in economic crisis with their energy costs. and is administered by the Clarksville-Montgomery Co. Community Action Agency. Call 931-896-1800 for more information.
Cumberland Electric Member Corporation
Project Help
A voluntary program that allows members to pay an additional amount on their electric bill each month to help pay utility bills of those who really need the assistance.
Contact a local office
Duck River Electric Member Corporation
Project HELP
Customer donations will help defray the cost of energy for elderly and handicapped members. Contact a local DREMC office or the Member Services Department in Shelbyville at 684-4621.
Holston Electric Cooperative
Project Help
Member donations help those less fortunate to stay warm in the winter. The elderly, handicapped and those in economic crisis can apply for assistance once a year. For more information or to apply for assistance Hawkins County residents can call the Neighborhood Service Center at 272-2830; Hamblen County residents can call Central Services at 586-9431.
www.holstonelectric.com/content/customer-service
Jackson Energy Authority
Round Up Program
Funds collected from the Round Up Program will be given to Area Relief Ministries (ARM), a non-profit, social services agency. ARM will distribute the funds to residents meeting the criteria of the agency.
Contact ARM at 423-9257
www.jaxenergy.com/community/round-up-program.php
Johnson City Power Board
Heisse Johnson Hand Up Program
Funds are collected from customers and distributed by the Good Samaritan Ministries and Salvation Army to individuals who need financial assistance for their energy bills.
Find a Salvation Army center, www.uss.salvationarmy.org/uss/www_uss_johnson.nsf/
Good Samaritan Ministries, 423-928-0288
http://jcpb.com/community/handUp.asp
Knoxville Utilities Board
Project Help
Project Help is an emergency heating-assistance program that buys electricity, natural gas, kerosene, heating oil, and wood for people who need temporary help with their heating bills, such as elderly or disabled people on fixed incomes, struggling single parents, and families who have lost their incomes through unemployment or illness. All Project Help funds come from donations and fundraisers and are administered by the Knoxville Community Action Committee.
865-524-2911; TDD 865-594-7494
Memphis Light Gas and Water
Plus-1
A program administered by the Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association (MIFA) to pay utility services for people in need. MLGW customers fund the program through one-time donations or by adding a dollar or more to their utility bill each month.
901-527-0208
www.mlgw.com/residential/plus1
Meriwether Lewis Electric Cooperative
Project Help
This voluntary program allows members to contribute each month to help those in temporary financial difficulty pay their winter energy bills. Money is distributed each year through community action agencies in each county.
http://206.155.92.40/specialServices/projectHelp.aspx
Middle Tennessee Electric Membership Corporation
Project Help
Member donations help defray emergency energy costs for elderly and disabled members as well as those who are not economically self-sufficient. The following agencies determine eligibility for receiving assistance:
Williamson County, Graceworks, 615-794-9055
Rutherford County, The Community Helpers, 615-898-0617
Wilson County Community Help Center, 615-449-1856
Cannon County Senior Citizens Center, 615-563-5304
Contact
www.mtemc.com/pages.cfm/name/c04_projecthelp
Mountain Electric Cooperative
Operation Pocket Change
Customer donations provide funds for qualified community projects, programs, and people in genuine needy situations. An independent board accepts applications from groups, non-profit organizations, and individuals.
423-727-1800
www.mountainelectric.com/info/pocket-change/
Morristown Utility Systems
Project Help
Customer donations provide funds for those who need help paying their utility bill. The fund is allocated through the Morristown-Hamblen Central Services.
423-586-9431
www.morristownutilities.org/Other_Services.html
Nashville Electric Service
Project HELP
Project Help provides emergency energy assistance to elderly, disabled and
low-income customers who cannot afford to pay their electric bill. Assistance is available for Davidson County residents and other NES customers.
Priority is given to single mothers, seniors, and people with disabilities.
Applications must be made in person, Monday or Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 295 Plus Park Boulevard, Suite 106, Nashville, TN 37207.
Nearest bus stop is Murfreesboro Rd. & Wilhagen Rd.
Please bring the following with you:
- Current utility bill showing the past-due amount
- Social Security cards for each member of the household
- Proof of income such as a pay stub, unemployment, retirement, etc
- Documentation of other forms of assistance such as Food Stamps of Section 8
The funds are administered by NeedLink Nashville.
Newport Utilities
Project Help
Customer contribution provide funds to help certain needy customers, such as the elderly, handicapped or others, pay their utility bill in case of extreme emergency. An eligibility committee made up of Central Charities Staff or Board will identify those in need. Applications are available only through the Neighborhood Center or e-mail Newport Utilities at info@newportutilities.com
www.newportutilities.com/services/projecthelp.shtml
Piedmont Natural Gas
Share the Warmth
Partner agencies use customer and utility donations to provide direct financial assistance to low-income families and individuals using all forms of energy including natural gas, propane, oil, electricity, coal, kerosene and wood.
For assistance contact:
Metro Action Commission (Davidson County), 615-880-1000
Mid-Cumberland Community Action Agency (Cheatham, Robertson, Rutherford, Sumner, Trousdale, Williamson and Wilson counties), 615-742-1113 or 615-453-2243
Highland Rim Economic Corporation (Dickson County), 931-289-4101
www.piedmontng.com/ourcommunity/sharethewarmth.aspx
Sequachee Valley Electric Cooperative
SVECares
Customer donations provide financial help to worthy causes for community organizations and individuals. To get an application stop by any SVEC service center or e-mail Joan Davis at jdavis@svalleyec.com. A printed or interactive online application is also available on SVEC's website.
www.svalleyec.com/content/svecares
Southwest Tennessee Electric Membership Corporation
Project Help
Member donations go to local agencies that provide people with financial assistance during emergencies. For more information call your local office or 1-800-772-0472.
Trenton Light & Water
Plus One Program
Customer donations, with no administrative expenses, will go toward helping the elderly, handicapped, and needy meet their energy costs. Trenton Light & Water matches all donations dollar for dollar.
731-855-1561
www.trentonlw.com/services/misc.html
Upper Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation
Project Help
This is a program designed to help defray emergency energy costs for elderly and disabled
members as well as those who are not economically self-sufficient. Customers may contribute
$1.00 or more per month on their electric bill. The money collected is sent to an independent
agency to determine who should receive their special funds. Recipients may only receive funds
once a year and the decision is left totally to the selection of the agency.
615-735-2940
www.ucemc.com/programs.htm