Arizona Public Service SHARE utility bill assistance

Senior citizens, the disabled, working poor, and families facing a crisis can get help paying their utility bills from Arizona Public Service SHARE. Any type of assistance for paying energy or heating bills will depend on funding levels, as the program does rely on donations from the community. Arizona Public Service Project S.H.A.R.E. should be one of the programs that customers turn to for assistance though.

Any type of funding will come with contingencies. They include, among others, that the customer needs to show the ability to pay future energy bills on their own. There are also income guidelines in place that follow government poverty guidelines. Also, the assistance to pay delinquent utility bills will assist clients in an emergency only. Generally people close to qualifying for LIHEAP will be able to qualify for this program, and there is also help for individuals over the age of 60.

Donations are used to keep Arizona Public Service SHARE operational. Anyone who contributes can decide to do it in multiple ways. They can choose to round up their monthly energy bill to the next highest dollar amount. Individuals can donate on a one off basis by writing a check to their program. Or other contributions can be made by dropping by a local social service office and donating a check to the program. Lastly, employees also can donate.

One hundred percent of the funds donated go to help the less fortunate. The money goes strictly to utility bills. It can pay sources of fuel including electricity, oil, natural gas, wood, propane, and much more. Any type of fuel that is provided by Arizona Public Service can be covered by this service.

For those that contribute, they can get a tax deduction. The amount will depend on their income bracket as well as other factors. But in general, people that give back will qualify for some tax breaks from the state and federal government too. This will in effect reduce the amount of their out of pocket costs as the deduction will offset the other contributions.

 

 

 

 

Impact of Arizona Public Service Project S.H.A.R.E.

The total number of people that will assisted with their utility bills will change each year. If there are more donations then more families will be assisted. If the contributions decrease in a certain year then less people will get help with their energy bills. But in general there may be thousands of Arizona Public Service customers supported each year, with many of them being elderly.

The amount of financial aid will be closer to tens of dollars vs. hundreds of dollars. While the dollar amount will not be significant, it can often be enough to make a difference in an emergency. One way this can be done is that money from Arizona Public Service Project S.H.A.R.E. can be combined with grants from LIHEAP or another government benefit. So when the programs are combined, it compounds how effective it can be.

It is always “encouraged” that former beneficiaries also give back to the program at a later date, after they make it through their crisis. So if a customer were to get utility bill assistance today, maybe months or even years down the road when their life is in better shape they too can donate. So always give back to a program such as Arizona Public Service Project S.H.A.R.E., as it does make a difference. For more details or to apply, dial the Salvation Army at 211. Any funds are first come and served until all of the donations have been used up.