Utility Assistance

Discounted Electric Service

Electric service providers that offer their services at below normal rates for people who meet age, disability, income, need or other requirements.

Electric Service Connection/Repair

Organizations that are responsible for processing electric service connection orders; installing, maintaining and repairing necessary equipment; activating service; accepting and responding to reports of downed power lines, power blackouts or other problems; reading meters to measure energy usage; and/or billing and collection.

Electric Service Payment Assistance

Programs that pay all or a portion of the electric service expenses of people whose electricity has been or is at risk of being shut off including any reconnection fees that may apply. Also included are non-emergency programs like those funded through the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), also referred to as LIEAP or HEAP in some states, that provide home energy assistance, generally in the form of a credit, for low-income households that apply. The assistance is usually available once per calendar year (or heating season). Electric service payment assistance programs may have age, income, disability, need or other eligibility requirements.

Gas Service Payment Assistance

Programs that pay all or a portion of the gas service expenses of people whose gas has been or is at risk of being shut off including any reconnection fees that may apply. Also included are non-emergency programs like those funded through the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), also referred to as LIEAP or HEAP in some states, that provide home energy assistance, generally in the form of a credit, for low-income households that apply. The assistance is usually available once per calendar year (or heating season). Gas service payment assistance programs may have age, income, disability, need or other eligibility requirements.

Discounted Heating Fuel

Organizations that provide firewood, heating oil, butane, propane, kerosene, coal or other types of home heating fuel at no cost or below normal rates for people who meet age, disability, income, need or other requirements.

Heating Fuel Payment Assistance

Programs that pay all or a portion of the home heating fuel expenses of people who are unable to purchase the resources to heat their homes without assistance. Also included are non-emergency programs like those funded through the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), also referred to as LIEAP or HEAP in some states, that provide home energy assistance for low-income households that apply, usually once per calendar year; and programs that pay for firewood, propane, butane, kerosene, coal or other bulk fuels that are used for heating or cooking purposes in situations where people have no other means of acquiring them. Heating fuel payment assistance programs may have age, income, disability, need or other eligibility requirements.

Discounted Internet Service

Internet service providers that offer their services at below normal rates for people who meet age, disability, income, need or other requirements.

Discounted Telephone Service

Telephone companies and wireless service providers that offer their services at below normal rates for people who meet age, disability, income, need or other requirements. Telephone equipment and/or cell phones may also be provided.

Mobile Devices

Programs that pay for or provide portable computing, communications or entertainment devices for use in a variety of environments. The devices typically have a display screen with touch input or a miniature keyboard and include personal digital assistants (PDAs), handheld game consoles, digital cameras, portable media players, e-book readers, cell phones, pagers and personal navigation devices (PDNs). Some devices offer a combination of functions, e.g., most PDAs have features which allow them to be used as mobile phones or portable media players; and smartphones have advanced capabilities such as Wi-Fi and e-book reader features and function more like miniature computers with phone capabilities.

Trash/Recycling Service Payment Assistance

Programs that pay all or a portion of the trash/recycling collection expenses of people whose service has been or is at risk for being discontinued. In many communities, trash collection services are considered a utility and in some, the fees are bundled with fees for other services provided by the city, e.g., electricity, gas and/or water/wastewater. Trash/recycling collection service payment assistance programs may have age, income, disability, need or other eligibility requirements.

Discounted Water Service

Water service providers that offer their services at below normal rates for people who meet age, disability, income, need or other requirements.

Water Service Connection/Repair

Organizations that are responsible for processing water service connection orders; installing, maintaining and repairing necessary equipment; activating service; accepting and responding to reports of water leaks or other problems; reading meters to measure energy usage; and/or billing and collection. Services include the hook-up and the installation, maintenance and repair of water lines, water meters and other necessary equipment on private property from the point of connection to the street.

Water Service Payment Assistance

Programs that pay all or a portion of the water service expenses of people whose water has been or is as risk of being shut off including any reconnection fees that may apply. Included are programs that provide assistance with combined water/sewer bills in communities where sewer payments are bundled with payments for water services. Water service payment assistance programs may have age, income, disability, need or other eligibility requirements.

Water Service Providers

Municipal and privately operated water companies that provide drinking water for homes and businesses. Also included are organizations that deliver bulk water to customers in rural areas beyond the reach of existing water lines or to those that prefer to drink bottled water; bulk water stations that serve as a source of drinking water for water haulers; and water vending services which allow consumers to purchase unit servings of water.

Residential Energy/Water Conservation Rebates

Programs that provide cash or tax rebates for homeowners who have made approved home improvements that will enable them to reduce energy consumption. Eligible improvements may include solar energy systems, heating and cooling systems, duct/air sealing, caulking/weather stripping, building insulation, windows and doors, and replacement of old appliances such as water heaters, heat pumps, refrigerators, dishwashers, washing machines and clothes dryers with newer models that are energy efficient.

Weatherization Programs

Programs that provide assistance in the form of labor and supplies to help people improve the energy efficiency of their homes and protect them from the elements. The program provides ceiling insulation, attic venting, double glazed windows, weather-stripping, minor housing envelope repairs, low-flow showerheads, evaporative cooler vent covers, water heater blankets, pipe wrap, duct wrap, switch and outlet gaskets, caulking, and other related energy conservation measures. Weatherization programs may have age, income, disability or other eligibility requirements.