North Central Missouri Electric Cooperative CCN utility bill assistance

The NCMEC Cooperative Caring Co-op Neighbors Assistance Program is used by low income customers or those struggling in an emergency. The program is funded by donations from the public, and 100% of the money raised goes to help with paying energy bills of all types, including heating, light, electric, and others. Not only may the public contribute to the assistance program, but also employees, management, the corporate foundation and others give money as well.

There are many resources offered that could be combined with NCMEC Cooperative Caring Co-op Neighbors Program. They range from payment plans to cash grants, free energy conservation measures, LIHEAP applications and more. However when it comes to the donation programs, the only one that uses (and relies) on contributions is CCN energy assistance. Learn more on applying as well as donating below.

NCMEC Caring Co-op Neighbors Program donations and assistance

This is an emergency service only. While utility bills can be paid using the donated money, the NNC program also allows other expenses to be paid too. The cooperate makes a decision on what bills can or can’t be paid. It may be housing, rent, car repairs, critical medical needs or more. Note that all of the money raised from donations, and paid out, stays in the Cooperative 3 county region including Putnam, Sullivan as well as Lynn County.

CCN pay for certain situations of utility bills. Examples of when donated money may be made available includes, but is not limited to, the following. There may be grants paid out to people who.

 

 

• 1)Are recovering from a disaster, such as fire, flood, or some other concern.
• 2)Utility customers only.
• 3)The low income who are faced with a power shut off and who need their electricity for some reason.
• 4)Victim or survivor of domestic violence.
• 5)Someone with a disability (mental or physical) who needs utility bill or other forms of assistance.
• 6)Someone who is in an accident or serious illness.
• 7)Customers of NCMEC that suffer from an unexpected loss of income that prevents them from paying their utilities or other important living expenses.

Note it goes without saying that all applicants to North Central Missouri Electric Cooperative need to be customers. They also need to have limited resources to get energy bill help, such as be on a low income, not have a ton of savings or assets to their name, and meet other qualifications.

Over the years hundreds of families have been assisted from the CCN utility bill assistance program. Thousands of customers, businesses, and others have donated to it. It is a community wide effort in which those who want to give back are able to help the less fortunate with paying their energy bills.

When it comes to donations, this is done on a monthly basis and is done automatically (and the donor can start or stop at will). It is an Round Up Type service in which the donor has their monthly utility bill rounded up to the next highest dollar amount. The balance (what is contributed) is paid out as part of CCN. As noted, the money can go to heating bills, utilities, light, or even some other critical expense such as housing or medical needs. The committee decides this.

There are 3 ways to either apply for funds or to donate. Applications as well as donations go through the North Central Missouri Electric Cooperative (call (660) 265-4404), the Missouri Division of Family Services (dial 211 or social worker), or the Green Hills Community Action Agency (call (660) 359-3907). All of them have staff that can help struggling customers apply for utility bill help, or guide donors on the process.