Donate to H.E.A.T. program

One of the main utility bill programs in Georgia is H.E.A.T., and it relies heavily on donations from people in the community. Thousands of lower income and struggling families receive help from The Heating Energy Assistance Team (HEAT) every year. For example, last year HEAT gave financial assistance to almost 1,700 Georgia families.

The program offers locals the opportunity to help their neighbors. They can donate money to the non-profit organization, and all contributions will go to helping those who are struggling with paying their utility bills. A focus of the money is for people who are most at risk if their power was disconnected, so children or seniors.

The Neighbors Helping Neighbors Keep Warm campaign, which is the name of the H.E.A.T. fundraiser, runs through the end of March each and every year. Donations are always appreciated for customers, not matter the amount. For example, even a $5 contribution is encouraged and it can go a long way to assisting those who need help. While the average amount of assistance provided to one family is $350, every little donation helps, even a few bucks.

The program is wide ranging across Georgia. For example, in most years hundreds of families in the greater Atlanta region are supported. Last year just that region received a total of nearly $90,000 in financial assistance to help pay their natural gas or heating bills with the help of H.E.A.T. Funds. Georgia counties receive an allotment of funds based on their poverty levels.

The program depends solely on donations and contributions from the general public. Many local energy companies and/or their employees also donate funds. The company needs to get the donations from the public before they can make the money available to the needy. Unfortunately the funds have been running out fast due to the high demand, so more money is always needed. So HEAT created the Neighbors Helping Neighbors Campaign in order to boost donations, and this will allow the program to assist more people in the community.

All financial assistance is distributed through your local Community Action Inc. or the Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS). Usually the state will distribute H.E.A.T. funds statewide through local community action agencies. The program relies strictly on donations, so contribute if you can.

In general, those funds and donations that are collected during the campaign will be distributed the next winter. All funds from H.E.A.T. will be paid out as one-time emergency assistance to low income families who meet eligibility requirements. Conditions need to be met, including applicants are required to provide a copy of a recent utility bill, supply proof of income, statements and copies of Social Security cards.