OPALCO Project PAL utility bill assistance

In an emergency, when all other options are used up, the OPALCO Project PAL program may help pay a portion of past due utility bills. The donation based service, when combined with Low Income Home Energy Bill Assistance (LIHEAP), free conservation measures, and other tools is effective at helping the low income with a host of costs.

There are various criteria that need to be met, along with documentation to provide. When applying for utility bill assistance from the program,, be sure to bring the following: Proof of household income from all members of the home; proof of residency; copies of any public assistance (LIHEAP, SNAP, SSI disability, section 8 housing, etc); identification including social security cards and driver's license; copies of past due utility bills and statements.

There will be an assessment done by one of the partners of OPALCO Project PAL. This will often include an interview. Since it is a donation based program, the funds are even more limited and controlled. There will be restrictions as to who can get help paying for their energy bills, with much of the money for those people in a financial hardship. In general, it can help in an emergency, but it may take days or longer to go through the application process.

OPALCO Project PAL always relies on the generosity of the community to keep it running. Anyone can donate, and it is up to each individual person or business to decide on their own. There is no pressure to contribute any money to the program.

 

 

Normally there are small dollar amounts contributed...cents per month using round up, small dollar or two per month donations, tens of dollars, etc. No matter if someone does or doesn't contribute, all of the money goes directly to paying utility bills. One hundred percent of every dollar in fact. Most donors also get a tax break in the form of a deduction on their federal income tax filing forms.

Applying for energy assistance

If and when all of the requirements noted above have been satisfied (proof, income, residency, etc.), then an application for utility bill assistance can be submitted to OPALCO Project PAL. There also needs to be no other options available to the customer, so the funds from local charities, the United Way, and other groups need to have been used up before this donation program may be able to assist with energy bills.

As noted, the program is not a solution in and of itself. The amount of money is limited, and it can usually pay a portion of a utility bill only. This is why any type of financial aid from the program is combined with LIHEAP as a long term benefit. But that government program is generally open for applications in the fall and/or winter months.

Call the customer service department at (360) 376-3500 to apply or contribute. In addition to that, a social service agency may be able to direct a client to the OPALCO Project PAL program. So there are various ways to apply for help.