Kansas City BPU utility bill assistance programs

In an effort to help struggling customers pay their utility bills, the Kansas City Board Of Public Utilities (BPU) donation program was created.  Each year hundreds of customers, charities, churches, non-profits, employees, and others donate to the service. All of these funds are then used to help an income qualified customers of BPU pay their utility bills, at least for a short period of time.

The program is also combined with other resources in the Kansas City region. They include the United Way BPU Hardship program, payment plans, and other energy assistance. LIHEAP is also an option for Kansas City BPU customers, and that is the main federally funded program for the poor, struggling, and low income.

Utility assistance from Kansas City BPU Board of Public Utilities

These are emergency programs only. Donations pay for them, so the capacity to assist customers is limited as is funding. Long term relief can be provided by federal government grants from LIHEAP.

The primary donation program is known as Utility Assistance. Anyone who contributes will have their donation matched dollar for dollar by the Kansas City Board Of Public Utilities. So $1 contribution means that BPU will also add $100 to the emergency utility bill assistance fund.

To donate, contact Kansas City BPU at the number below. They accept both one time donations as well as recurring round up, which means that cents may be added to the utility bill assistance program. !00% of the money collected goes towards the BPU residential customer in Wyandotte County and their bills. Many employees of the energy provider also donate.

 

 

 

 

Applications for this donation program are accepted by the United Way. The non-profit partners with various human as well as social service agencies, including the Salvation Army and community action agencies. Staff from these different groups work together to ensure the funds go to the correct person for their energy bills. They can pay for heating costs, gas bills, electricity, and other costs.

Other options for helping with energy bill are offered too. Some use donations and others do not. The programs include BPU Hardship Assistance, which is for customers with an unexpected hardship and that have also been customers for at least 6 months. When applying, bring proof of ID, copies of income, identification, and other applicable material. Kansas City BPU also needs the reason 9and solution) for the hardship documented.

Members of a labor union can get assistance from the Temporary Assistance for Labor Families program, which is paid for by United Way donations and grants as well as the Tri-County Labor Council of Eastern Kansas. Funds can help pay everything from heating to electric bills, lights, rent, medical costs, and more. This is only for families with someone in a labor union and that are also Kansas City Board Of Public Utilities customers.

Additional options for paying utility bill include Emergency Food and Shelter Program, payment plans, LIHEAP (as noted above, and more. To learn about which energy assistance program may be funded, best for a situation, or even available, dial (913) 371-6772.  A customer service rep from BPU - Kansas City Board Of Public Utilities or one of its partner companies will go over the options.