Georgia Power Project SHARE utility assistance programs

In an effort to help struggling customers, Georgia Power Project SHARE is an option for utility bills. Donations from the community, including customers, employees, management, and charities all fund the program. It is an emergency, one time service. The project is run in partnership with charities, mostly the Salvation Army.

Terms and conditions of Project SHARE

Utility bill assistance is offered in a crisis only. The recipients tend to be disabled, senior citizens, the medically ill, people recovering from a disaster or maybe the death of a loved one. The program is not intended to pay energy bills over the long term.

When applying, applicants should bring proof of income, identification, and proof of residency. They need to have historically paid their energy bills on time. The goal is also to either (1) prevent a shut off or (2) delay a disconnection of electric, gas, or lights.

Donations fund Georgia Power Project SHARE

The program is paid for using money from the community. Funds come from the public, a Trust at the company, employees, and management among others. One hundred percent of said donations go to fund the service.

Donors also get an income tax break as it is a charitable deduction. This means that both their federal and state of Georgia income taxes will be lower than they otherwise would. So if someone donates to help the less fortunate pay their energy bills, the amount they give back will actually be less than their donation amount.

 

 

Amount of assistance provided by Georgia Power Project SHARE

Of course it depends on many factors. One being how much money has been donated. So the more that the community gives to the program, the more that may be available to pay energy bills. There are other factors too, including the following.

One will be the income, age, and other criteria of the applicant. In general, the applicant needs to be able to sustain future payment of energy bills. Whether it is from income, LIHEAP, or some other source. As the funding from Project SHARE is one time and short term only, it does not do any good if the applicant will be in dire straits again.

Donate or applications

The assistance program is run in partnership with Georgia Power as well as local social service agencies. They administer applications, disbursing funding, and can help with donations too.

In general, donations can be one time or the monthly bill is rounded up to the next highest dollar amount. The incremental is then invested into the program, and all that funding is then paid to customers of Georgia Power who qualify for Project SHARE.

For more information the service, dial the local Salvation Army in Georgia or 211. Or call Georgia Power for referrals to Project SHARE. Both emergency utility bill help and donation details can be provided.