Chesapeake Utilities Sharing Assistance Program

The Neighbor helping Neighbor program available from Chesapeake Utilities and partners is known as Sharing Program. It provides one time utility bill assistance to a small number of families each year, depending on the donation levels. The program is not a government entitlement but rather paid for by contributions from the public, which furthers limits the number of people that can get help for paying their electric or heating bills.

The criteria for donating is very straightforward. It is the fact that anyone can contribute!  They can enroll by rounding up the monthly utility bill to the next highest dollar amount each month. Then that incremental amount (which is often pennies) will go to fund Chesapeake Utilities Sharing Program. While that small amount may not seem like much to donate (and it really isn't) when hundreds or thousands of people do it the money adds up quickly.

Chesapeake Utilities Sharing Program also accepts one time donations. This will be any dollar amount that someone, or a business, wants to contribute. A check can be mailed to the company or sent with the monthly bill. In either case all funds are used for paying utility bills.

In addition, Chesapeake Utilities itself will often match all of these Sharing Program. So not only may employees, customers, businesses, and management all contribute to Sharing Program, but the company itself may provide additional funds. Some of the shareholders income is used for this, so there is no impact to any end customers monthly utility bills.

The terms and conditions in applying to Chesapeake Utilities Sharing Program for assistance is much different. There is a formal process in place, and all applicants are screened. The amount of money available for paying utility or heating bills is limited. It changes monthly (or even weekly) and is strictly tied to the amount of donations that come in the door. So only a small number of requests are fulfilled each month.

 

 

 

 

First, when applying, have proof of residency, income, and statements on past account payment activity. Also bring copies of any LIHEAP program information, such as applications or allotments. The donations from Chesapeake Utilities Sharing Program can in fact be combined with other aid, namely LIHEAP, so that is not a barrier.

Any utility assistance is for seniors living on a fixed income, the disabled, or households in a short term crisis that they did not cause. So that may be a medical emergency, illness, or some proven, unexpected job loss. Chesapeake Utilities Sharing Program will not pay the energy bills of a customer that has been historically struggling and their finances are in a mess. So there are many criteria in place.

In order to learn more, try the company at 410-749-1142. The customer service team can provide more insight on how to apply to Chesapeake Utilities Sharing Program, and for those people looking to donate, this can be discussed too.