North Carolina Operation Roundup.

Operation Roundup can help a number of North Carolina utility customers pay their electric bill. The assistance program is currently offered by Albemarle Electric Membership Corporation, Wake Electric, Cape Hatteras Electric, Surry-Yadkin Electric Membership Corporation, Carteret-Craven Electric Cooperative, as well as Four County Electric Membership Corporation. Find more details on the Operation Roundup program below.

While each utility company may have its own version of the program and what it can do, in general the following is the case.

Operation Roundup tends to be a nonprofit program program that is funded by local members and existing customers. It is a donation program intended to provide utility bill assistance to the less fortunate and people across North Carolina who are faced with an emergency. It was created to help address unmet needs of individuals and families who live in a number of communities across North Carolina.

If someone decides to contribute to Operation Roundup, then they will have their utility bills rounded up to the nearest dollar each month. The extra rounded up amount, which will always be less than $1 by nature of the round up, will go directly into a non-profit fund that is then paid out to those who need assistance with paying their electric bills.  For example, if your monthly electric bill is say $51.75, you will be billed for a total of $52.00 for that one month. The difference of 25 cents will go into the Operation Round Up trust Fund and the money will be funded to people facing an emergency. Operation Round Up contributions are tax deductible.

The non-profit has volunteers who will review applications each month and direct the distribution of these funds to people who meet the conditions.

All the funds raised from the community by the program will be paid out to as financial assistance or grants to support families and individuals that embody the non-profits mission of empowering and assisting local customers with resources provided through the generosity of the customers of the utility provider. In general not one dollar of the money collected goes to administrative costs or compensation. to members who oversee the Operation Roundup program.

Apply for assistance in North Carolina fro Operation Roundup

Most of the programs were created in the 1990s in order to assist members who find themselves unable to pay their bills or in an unexpected crisis situation that is beyond their control. Examples of what can qualify someone for assistance include a job loss, illness, injury, house fire, natural disaster, or some other unexpected crisis. Every year thousands of individuals receive financial assistance from Roundup.

The program of course will tend to pay some or all of a monthly utility bill, provided the applicant meets the criteria needed. In addition, other essential needs that are not being met through other means may also be paid for, and that can include furnace repairs, food, clothing housing, medical expenses, weatherization and equipment, etc.

Normally the Operation Round Up Fund in North Carolina is administered by a Board of Directors that is made up of volunteers. Each and every application for assistance will be reviewed closely, and qualified individuals may be able to receive an emergency grant from the Operation Roundup program. Usually members will meet every other month to consider applications received. All applications will be reviewed for funding and the non-profit organization that runs the program will make awards to individuals who have the most serious needs for emergency assistance.

Call your North Carolina utility company and ask about applying.