Where Can I Get Help To Pay My Electric Bill If I Can’t Afford It?

By Danielle Johnson, djohnson@nbc26news.com

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By Danielle Johnson

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

Wednesday, Aug 6 at 11:28 AM tara craig wrote ...

i need help paying my light bill please it 453.00 dollar

Wednesday, Jul 30 at 6:23 PM jamie wrote ...

i'm a single mother of 3 i got a disconection notice from the ellictric company for froday the first i'm able to pay it but not till the 7th the elictricity com will not wait the extra 7 days.i have 2 kids that are on a astma machine that they have to take 3 times a day with out elictricity i can not give them there treatments. we do not have any where we can stay until the 7th all the agencys in my area have no funds.if you can help please e-mail jamiepineda@midplains.coop

Sunday, Jul 27 at 1:29 PM CURTRISA WASHINGTON wrote ...

PLEASE HELP ME PAY MY RENT AND ELECTRIC IM WORKING AND I CANT AFFORD TO LIVE IM LIVING DAY BY DAY PAY CHECK BY OAY CHECK MY LIGHT ARE GETTING TURNED OFF ON THE 30 BECSE I CANT AFFORD TO PAY IT

Friday, Jul 18 at 9:32 PM Tara wrote ...

My electricity and gas was turned off on April 22nd 2008. I am a single mother of 2 children and work a full-time job and I was told that my income exceeded the poverty level and could not get help with with my bill. I am prepared to pay some I just can't pay all in full without neglecting other bills. We are still living in our home without electricity and gas. We have no where else to go for me to save to pay the bill. I still have to keep roof over our heads even without electricity and gas.

Sunday, Jul 13 at 10:28 PM sarah wrote ...

hi i live in laurel,md i have 3 kids and im a single mom i have a turn off bill for monday 14 by 3:00p.m if any one can help Cocobrown8803@aol.com

Wednesday, Jun 25 at 7:22 AM Its a struggle today wrote ...

The economy is too messed up, I went on a interview yesterday and the owner of the residence where I had applied offered me 6 dollars an hour. With 5 years experience in health care. Thats not even minimum wage. What do you do when theres people like that taking advantage of the system. I have a 3yr old child and Im a single parent who is currently going to school to make something out of myself, I cant survive off of 6 dollars an hour?

Monday, Jun 9 at 12:10 PM jameca l. wrote ...

my power has been turned off since may 13 and i have four children. none of the agencies has funds in my area.

Monday, Jun 2 at 7:41 PM debra wrote ...

help my sister got her electric turned off none of us have any money.Her daughter has astma.We live in horsham Pa what can she do

Tuesday, May 6 at 11:04 PM jeanette Rice-Cimmino wrote ...

I am a 49 year old woman and I have been disabled for the past two and 1/2 years my electric bill is months over due and I don't have enough funds to pay. I only get 626 for my disability which has just started with the price of food medicine and doctor visits, there is bno money lefrt to pay for anything I am affraid they will turn my electric off, I hope someone can help. 2081 SE esterbrook st port st lucie florida 34983 please help//////

Friday, May 2 at 10:30 AM cc wrote ...

does any one know where i can get help my electric bill is 338 and plus reconnection fee i live in marion county tn.

Friday, Apr 25 at 10:27 PM Anonymous wrote ...

I'm a single parent of 4,my power was cut off I have to small children who are on a breathin machine. If there is anyone who can help please post a comment Thany You and have a BLESSED DAY!

Monday, Apr 21 at 12:33 PM jackie wrote ...

is there any place in moberly missouri that will help pay electric bills?

Friday, Apr 18 at 12:13 PM malakapayne@yahoo.com wrote ...

My power was disconnected yesterday. I have been living in this 2 home duplex that is pretty old since feb 1, 2008 and my elec bill is over $600. I even had the elec co. come back out and read my meter box again just in case of a misreading. They say that it was correct. My two kids and I are hardly ever at home in the daytime because of school and I work. I had some of the money but the elec.co wanted it all. So my children and I am without power.

Sunday, Feb 24 at 10:19 AM MILDRED WALTER wrote ...

My power is off. My bill is $5<488.00. FPL states that I owe a bill from two other residents wich bought my bill to this amount. I tried to make payment arrangements before electric was turned off. I was diagnost with breast cancer and had surgery and was out of wokk for one month on another illness. I'm working steadyt now and have three minor kids and we are in the dock. I have a genarator but can't keep gas in it. If I could pay $1,000 and pay $200.00 month. mildredwalter@comcast.net

Wednesday, Feb 13 at 10:08 PM michelle mcneil wrote ...

I move for ny 1year now i need a job that can pay me $10.hr i need to lurn some skill i have five kids help me plese i feel so hopeless

Thursday, Feb 7 at 10:57 AM Tracy wrote ...

We are a one income family of 4. It cost $400/week for childcare for my infants (twins) so I stay home instead of working. Our Electricity bills have been avg. $700/month for a single level 3 bedroom home. We just can't afford it anymore and our families are also struggling and unable to help us. I am currently considering trying to live without electricity and I'm terrified. But I guess living with no electricity is better then losing our home because we have to choose electricity or mortgage.

Wednesday, Jan 9 at 2:58 PM Iresha wrote ...

I'm a single 20 year old mother with a 10 month old son and I live alone. I can't work because I can't afford child care. Right now I'm temporarily living with my older sister because I had an outstanding electric bill and my service has been disconnected. I hate to be a burden to anyone but with me having a small child I can't have him without electricity. I truly need a stepping stone to get on my feet. If there are ANY agencies that can help me, I will appreciate it.4042001750 or 4045531486

Friday, Jan 4 at 10:33 AM marcia wrote ...

i have a large ligt bill i cant work husband is ill and on diabilty i need hwlp marciaflygare7@aol.com

Monday, Dec 17 at 9:19 PM Bernard wrote ...

My sister has two kids no power thats not right why can't some one help her i send money when i can she got robbed they took all the money out of her bank account she has the pappers to prove it and still they will not help her not right people.

Tuesday, Dec 11 at 4:42 PM Jennifer wrote ...

2 months ago, I was unemployed. I went to every agency in Augusta for help No one helped. If I can't get help when I need it, then why am I paying taxes? And what is Project Share for? Certainly not for me. I have 4 kids who will not get Christmas.

Friday, Nov 30 at 10:55 AM tim king wrote ...

my power is turned off i have been married 21 years to the same wonderfull woman and she has never had to work.i had a stroke a few months ago and now she has to work but she dont make enough money to take care of the bills.any ideas timmmerz@yahoo

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