Duke Energy Ohio WinterCare utility bill assistance

Customers of Duke Energy Ohio that are in a short term hardship can apply to WinterCare. This energy bill assistance program was created with the purpose of being (1) a safety net service and (2) allow people to give back to the community. With that being said, it can prove effective in helping a family (or individual) keep their utilities on when all else fails.

The program does operate year round by the Salvation Army in Ohio, though most of the money is distributed during the summer cooling and winter heating months. This is when there is the highest need from the local community. So this is when most of the money that is available for utility bills is paid out.

Tax deductible donations to Duke Energy Ohio WinterCare

Contributions come from many sources. There are of course individual contributions. These come from regular households and people that just want to give back to the community. Individuals contribute on a one off basis or they add a little money to each of their monthly electric bills. All of these funds (100%) go to pay electric bills and not to overhead.

Funds for the programs also come from management from Duke Energy Ohio as well as regional charities. These groups also try to help low income families pay their energy bills. So they either hold timely fund raisers or management will provide corporate funds to match other donations from the general public. Employees from regional Duke Energy Ohio offices may also contribute. This ranges from “line” men and women to customer support, call center works, and many other employees.

When an individual donates, the money is tax deductible. This means, based on their income tax bracket, their obligation to the state and federal government taxes can be reduced. So not only does Duke Energy Ohio WinterCare provide an opportunity to help pay a heating or utility bill for a lower income family, but the donor has other benefits.

 

 

 

 

Applications for assistance

Any funds are paid out first come-served to income qualified families. Once the utility bill assistance that is available from Duke Energy Ohio WinterCare is gone, no other customers can be assisted. So people should apply early. Or if the program did run out of money, then the company will still try to give referrals to other programs which may include payment plans; LIHEAP; local charities; etc.

The money paid out goes towards paying utility bills and that is not. The funds can't be used for any other expenses. The use of the money is closely controlled. Also, the amount of aid paid out is usually measured in tens or dollars...not thousands of hundreds. So it is small dollar amounts of aid available from Duke Energy Ohio WinterCare.

Since many regular people are donating to WinterCare, this means that the application process is both stringent and the amount of money paid out is small. The goal is to supplement what ever else the customer is doing to right their situation. So no Duke Energy Ohio customer should every rely on help for their energy bills from it.

For more details, or to apply for assistance, call the Salvation Army (which runs WinterCare in Ohio) at 513-721-0795.