Utility Bill Assistance

 

 

Project Share utility bill donation program from NYSEG

A program of last resort that is offered by NYSEG and the American Red Cross is Project Share. It relies on donations and contributions from a number of sources, including employees, customers, retirees and local business in the New York NYSEG service territory. If you can contribute please do so, and there are several ways to do this. Or if you need to apply for assistance, then you need to call your local chapter of the American Red Cross.

The program provides people the ability to assist those in need of utility assistance. Project SHARE helps eligible low income customers, including seniors or the disabled, pay for their energy or heating bills in an emergency situation. Money can also be used for other energy related expenses, such as repairs of replacement of heating equipment, water heater replacements, energy conservation measures, and weatherization.

Any money you donate will go to people who are most at risk and who have no other options available to them. For example, Project SHARE is for customers in which a member of the household is 60 years of age or older. Or an applicant can be disabled, and there are no age restrictions. Donations will stay in the NYSEG service territory.

Another important factor is that all applicants need to have exhausted all other heating bill or utility assistance programs available to them. So they can’t get help from resources such as HEAP, Medicaid, or food stamps. They also can’t be able to get assistance from local or county emergency aid programs. So really, any money you donate may help a senior stay warm during the winter, as it may allow them to keep their power on.

The program has been running since the early 1980s. From the time it was created, Project SHARE has helped more than 30,000 households across the great state of New York. It has done this by distributing assistance totaling more than $7 million to those who are at risk of disconnection or being cold during the winter.

Anything you contribute will be tax deductible. If you haven’t contributed but are interested in helping the less fortunate, who very well may be your neighbors, there are a few different ways to give money. You can give a onetime payment, or contribute from ongoing donations. You can give as little as a dollar, or as much as you would like.

As indicated, the American Red Cross in New York administers the program by determining eligibility, receiving applications, and distributing the funds that you donate, so they can also provide more details.

 

 

 

By: Jon McNamara

 

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