Help with utility bills in Georgia, as well as electric bill assistance

There are many ways to get utility bill assistance in Georgia. The government offers grants and programs and many companies also offer energy bill help to their customers. There are numerous other assistance programs available. They range from payment plans and abatements to free energy conservation and more. Ask one of the social service agencies in Georgia for help or referrals. Or call the customer service team at the utility company to discuss options. As they can often provide information on many other types of financial aid, not just for electric bills.

Government resources for paying energy bills in Georgia

The Georgia Energy Assistance Program, known as EAP, will pay for some home cooling as well as heating costs for lower income eligible families. The program will place more emphasis on emergencies, such as a death, or unemployment.

Georgia Community Action Association - There are over twenty agencies, known as Community Action Agencies, that serve all 159 counties in Georgia. The programs offered by these agencies will provide you help with utility and electric bills. The agencies team with Federal, State and local resources. The programs they partner with and services they offer currently include such agencies as Head Start, emergency assistance, employability services, the Federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), transportation, home weatherization,  and case management. This agency will also provide help with cooling and heating bills in the hot summer and cool winter nights.

 

 

Georgia Energy Crisis Intervention
The Georgia Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP) is available for the general public as well as eligible seniors (65 years & older) to assist households with paying bills if they have received a disconnection notice or the utility service has already been disconnected.

Households are considered to be facing a heating bill or energy crisis due to the threat of, or lack of natural gas services in their homes. Qualified households will receive utility bill assistance to prevent their service from being interrupted, or receive help with restoring service to the home.

Regular Home Energy Assistance
This electric bill help will be paid primarily in the form of locally issued checks to local home energy suppliers on behalf of eligible Georgia residents.

The amount of utility bill assistance to both non-subsidized renters and homeowners who receive a bill for their fuel cost will depend on the households size, total gross annual household income, and the payment schedule or increased cost of home heating energy.

Federal government aid - Residents of the state of Georgia can receive grants and cash assistance from the LIHEAP program. While it is paid for at the federal level, a number of state agencies and community action agencies distribute the funds to the needy. Continue.

 

 

Assistance with utility bills from Georgia energy companies

Project SHARE
Project SHARE is an assistance program offered throughout the state. Donations for the program are contributed by electric utility customers who decide to donate funds through their monthly utility bills in order to help those in need with pay bills. Read more.

City of Albany Utilities - This municipality has its own energy bill assistance program known as HOPE. It is run in partnership with regional community action agencies. Read more.

Atlanta Gas Light - They offer low and moderate income customers several different assistance programs, including Heating Energy Assistance Team, LIHEAP, and other resources. Read more on options that are available.

Atlanta Gas Light, Georgia Natural Gas, Georgia Power, SCANA Energy and Carroll Electric Membership Corporation all have programs in place for those over 60-65 that will either waive a monthly fee or provide a monthly discount on their utility bills.

Dalton Utilities provides financial aid from Neighbors Helping Neighbors. Donations of $1 to $12 per year from the community funds the program. All money goes to help low income families pay their utility and/or cooling bills. Read more.

Gas South - Customers who are 65 or older can get a discount on their monthly utility or gas bills. They have in place a few different rates for seniors. In addition to programs for senior citizens, learn about additional Gas South utility assistance programs.

Georgia Power provides a number of solutions to customers. There are payment plans as well as Project SHARE, which is run statewide. The service can help avert a crisis and help a customer keep their power, lights, and electricity on. More on Georgia Power Project SHARE.

Jackson Electric provides assistance using donations from the community. Private as well as government funds from programs such as Project Share can help the low income or families in a crisis situation. The goal is to stop a shut off. Learn more.

Heating Energy Assistance Team (HEAT)
The Georgia HEAT heating and utility bill aid program assists those in need with heating and utility bills. Click here to learn more.

 

 

Liberty Utilities offers assistance as part of Share the Warmth. Money raised from community donations is available to low income families for their energy bills, especially seniors or those with a hardship. Learn more.

Marietta Power participates in the Project SHARE assistance program. This uses donations from the public and all money raised goes to help families facing a crisis. Helping with utility bills is one component of this program. Read more.

North Georgia EMC operates a few different utility bill assistance programs, including Project SHARE. They also partner with the Salvation Army to collect donations to pay energy, heating, light, and electric bills. More on North Georgia EMC energy bill assistance.

Southern Company - They operate across most of Georgia. Customers of this utility provider can receive financial assistance from the company’s, as well as the state’s, Project SHARE program. It focuses on the very low income and used donations from the community. Read more.