We're bolstering support to heating assistance programs to help customers in financial crisis
Thursday, October 17, 2013
In an effort to help the community's
most disadvantaged citizens pay heating bills during the winter months,
we're announcing a $2 match for every $1 donated by residential customers to the utilities’ heating assistance programs – Community Winterhelp, WinterCare Energy Assistance Fund and WinterShare Fund. It is retroactively effective Oct. 1 through
March 31, 2014.
"Due to the delay in the
distribution of Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program funds as a result of the
federal government shutdown, we felt it was important to go above and beyond
the usual $1 for $1 match," said Cheryl
Bruner, Director, Customer Service and Marketing. On Tuesday, Louisville Metro Community Action Partnership announced the suspension of LIHEAP was due to a government shutdown. Right now it's unclear if recent events to reopen the federal government will lift the suspension. (Update: LIHEAP pre-registration has now been reinstated.)
Customer donations and matching company funds have raised millions of dollars to help thousands of families pay their heating bills over the years."We encourage customers to join what
thousands of their neighbors are doing and consider making a
tax-deductible donation to these programs as well," said Bruner.
Residential customers may donate to the
companies’ heating assistance programs by making a monthly pledge or a one-time
contribution. Even rounding up a payment to the next whole dollar makes a
difference.
The programs assist families in dire
financial situations and lack of resources, leaving a family with no heat or
the immediate prospect of no heat; and families with a family member who is
elderly, very young, seriously ill or disabled.
The utilities play no part in
determining who qualifies for assistance. Area agencies administer the funds
based on eligibility.
