It can happen to anyone, falling on hard financial times. For people in those situations, being able to pay a utility bill isn't easy. While there are some places in the area that help. Some say they’re also facing a crisis.

When Karen Burke opened the door to her apartment Monday, the only thing working was this battery-operated clock. Jefferson Electric cut her service off because she hadn't paid her bill. Now, this single mom is living with her parents.

“It's like I’m struggling to do everything. My parents, they try to help me, but it's so much they can do to maintain their household as well,” she says.

Burke says she couldn't pay the bill because she been out of work. While she tried to pay a portion of the four hundred dollar bill, she says the company's payment policy wouldn't allow her to do that.

Jefferson Electric said they have an energy assistance program for people who need help. But once your service is turned off, you must pay the balance in full to have it restored.

If you've had your electricity turned off or have fallen on hard times, there are dozens of churches and social services that can provide assistance. But many of those places are running out of money.

Linda Michael says last year Catholic Social Services paid more than $90,000 in utility bills. But donations are at an all time low.

“We can only do as much as we can with what we have. When that money gets to a certain level, we have to cut off funds,” she says.

So here is what she suggests.

-Make sure you contact all agencies in the area that offer assistance. Most of them work together to help pay off the entire bill.

-Be persistent in your search. Some agencies do get grants to help people with specific needs.

-Be prepared to help pay what you can.

“We can't pay the whole bill for you, there's no way. But we will help you with X amount of dollars,” says Michael.

Georgia Power will let you request to have you bill pro-rated. Most agencies offer one time assistance, which can vary between $35-$100.

AGENCY REFERRALS

PROJECT SHARE 826-7937
SALVATION ARMY 826-7933
EOA 722-0493
METHODIST CHILDREN’S HOME 722-8669
GAP MINISTRIES 722-4408
CATHOLIC SOCIAL SERVICES 722-3661

CHURCHES:

ALDERSGATE METHODIST 733- 4416
BEULAH GROVE RESOURCE CENTER 722-4999
CENTRAL CHRISTIAN CHURCH 736-8476
CURTIS BAPTIST CHURCH 722-7348
HILL BAPTIST CHURCH 736-8446
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 733-2236
ANTIOCH BAPTIST CHURCH 724-2809

FOOD ASSISTANCE:

HILLCREST BAPTIST CHURCH 7933104
NATIONAL HILLS BAPTIST CHURCH 738-1620
THE MASTER’S TABLE(SOUP KITCHEN) 722-0607
GOLDEN HARVEST FOOD BANK(REFERRALS ONLY) 736-1199

HEALTH:

ST VINCENT dePAUL CLINIC 828-3444
CARE PREGNANCY CENTER 724-3733

SHELTERS:

SALVATION ARMY (MEN, WOMEN, AND FAMILIES) 826-7933
AUGUSTA RESCUE MISSION(MEN ONLY) 722-2058
INTERFAITH HOSPITALITY (FAMILIES ONLY) 364-4462
SAFE HOMES (DOMESTIC VIOLENCE) 736-2499
ST. STEPHENS MINISTRIES (HIV-AIDS ONLY) 722-7092
HOPE HOUSE ( WOMEN ONLY- ALCOHOLIC/DRUG)

CREDIT COUNSELING:

CONSUMER CREDIT 736-2090

JOB TRAINING:

AUGUSTA TRAINING SHOP (HANDICAPPED) 738-1358
JTPA 722-3001
LABOR DEPT. 721-3131
WORK FIRST PROGRAM (DEFACS) 721-3055
GOODWILL JOB CONNECTION 790-8500
TROJAN LABOR (DAY LABOR) 736-6199

REFERRAL AGENCIES:

UNITED WAY 724-6269
AUGUSTA TASK FORCE FOR THE HOMELESS 723-0040