Tupelo Water and Light Cares utility assistance

While customers of Tupelo Water have many assistance programs they can apply to for help in paying their energy bills, one of the resources that is an option of last resort is known as Tupelo Cares. It serves as a backstop/safety net for the most vulnerable customers of the company. Since it relies on donations to keep running each and every month, it is a small scale program in that only some applicants are assisted.

Tupelo Water and Light Cares was created with one goal in mind. That is to provide utility bill help (specifically for heat or to keep medical equipment on) for individuals that are in a critical condition.  Up to $150 may be offered when funding allows. This means that once a family has explored other programs, such as LIHEAP or local charities, only then may Cares even be an option. Even then many applications will be denied do to lack of donations.

The fact it can help any Tupelo Water & Light customer is amazing in itself. As the money to run it comes from donations from other customers, employees of Tupelo Water & Light , management, and others. This means that someone else is contributing a portion of their hard earned wages to help others. It is an amazing example of people looking out for the less fortunate.

Any funds paid out from Tupelo Water & Light Cares will be closely scrutinized. The funds provided for paying utilities are limited. It is not able too (nor was intended too) pay a large percent of what someone may or may now owe on their heating or energy bill. Instead a small amount of what has been donated may be disused to a qualified applicant.

Due to the fact it is a “Neighbor helping Neighbors” donation model, there does need to be priority set. Applicants need to have shown a willingness and ability to pay their bills on time in the past. Most people also want their donations to go to helping pay utility bills for seniors, the sick, or customers under exceptional hardship. This means Tupelo Water and Light Cares will focus on people in a crisis that they did not cause vs. people living in long term poverty.

 

 

 

 

Tupelo Water & Light Cares can of course accept donations from any customer, business, or individual. While the energy bill assistance only goes to residential families, companies, non-profits, and others can contribute as well. So donations can come from anywhere, which differs from how the assistance is paid out.

Any dollar amount is available. People can donate $1 or $100. Or they can decide to donate monthly by rounding up their bill. The goal is to allow flexibility in how people can decide to contribute as Tupelo Water and Light does not want to impair the ability to do that.

For more information on applying for up to $150 of utility or heating bill help, or to learn about donation processes, dial 662-841-6470.