I read so much b.s. about free money that I couldn't take it. Think about it. If money was easy to get, wouldn't more people have it? I couldn't take it any more. Find out the TRUTH about "free money."
The past winter has been brutal, with a heavy demand for heating fuel. The state of Ohio has responded by extending the application period for heating assistance. Usually, it's cut off at the end of March, but for this winter, the deadline for HEAP applications is April 15th.
The disruption of propane supplies has sparked response through the country. Unfortunately, this has pretty much been in the form of relaxed shipping and trucking regulations. Unlike natural gas and electric companies, there is little in the way of outright financial assistance.
But some relief in various forms is available in some places in the U.S. In Ohio, Prism Propane can't cut the costs--or the shortage--but they are evenly short-filling their fuel to their customers. They are also offering their customers electric heaters at cost to help them fill the heating void. If you're a customer, call 877-887-7476 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. to reserve yours.
In a couple of states, there are some financial relief programs just for propane users. In Minnesota, hotlines have been set up for propane users who need to be directed to the state liheap program or, for those who don't qualify, to nonprofit agencies that can help. Several sources of help have sprung up, and the information is here.
In this hard winter, Columbia Gas has created another source of financial assistance for customers in northwest Ohio who have exhausted all their other resources. It's a one-time payment program to help defray winter bills. The Columbia
Fuel Fund is for people within 200% of the poverty level (the state eligibility for HEAP assistance is 175% of the poverty level).
For more information, call the Customer Contact Center at
1-800-344-4077.
Most people are familiar with state government programs (financed by the federal government), and sometimes nonprofit charity programs. But utilities are themselves a source for funding, and often have payment plans to average out payments over the cost of the year. For the most complete list of aid, go to the liheap state clearinghouse and choose your state. Even so, if you are having trouble making your heating bill, contact your energy provider and ask if they have or know of any programs. Also, here's a listing of state policies and laws on energy cutoff.
Fall is here, and the end of the summer cooling emergency that helps pay with summer energy bills. If you go to the Ohio Development Agency to find the new HEAP forms, you will see this--a zero income self-declaration form. Along with the same form in Spanish. If you indeed have zero income, and say so on the Ohio energy assistance form--you will need this form filled out, too.
People often ask where they can get a zero income statement, or declaration form. There isn't a national form, but the human service office in your state or county may have one. Many social service agencies have zero income forms that are peculiar to them, and if you don't use them, you will end up delaying your assistance. When applying for any type of assistance, be it heating, food, or general assistance--and you don't have any income at all--be sure to ask if they have a zero assistance declaration or statement that needs to be filled out in addition to any application forms. You could also try to google "zero income" and the name of your state, but a worker in the agency to which you apply should know, too.
Our dopey Congress can pass laws saying that we trust in God, which is good because we sure can't trust them. Last year, the Congress that held firm against higher taxes for millionaires wanted cutbacks...and got them in funds for heating. So the following link is important: it shows the state-by-state restrictions in heating cutoffs in the winter...and sometimes, like in Texas, electricity in the summer. I've run it before, but this winter, it may be more important to know than ever.
As the website says, these restrictions may not apply to all the utilities in the state. Municipal and co-operative utilities might be exempt from these regulations. Each state lists the conditions (like temperatures) or dates when heat cannot be cut off, particular protected groups (like the aged or disabled), who to complain to, and, when available, a user's Bill of Rights and links to a complaint form.
Besides help with paying for your winter heat, you may be able to get help keeping the warm air on--and staying27557 inside--your house. You can find state programs the help you pay for the heat from the LIHEAP program and its state offices. In Ohio, the Development Services Agencyadministers the HEAP applications.
But low-income people can get help with free energy inspections, insulation, and furnace and water heater repair, too. Here are the state offices that administer those programs. Every state has slightly different qualifications for their programs, so check yours to see if you can get help. Click on your state, then, in the box for "service," choose "weatherization." It will give you an address, phone number, and a clickable link with more information. In Ohio, it's also the Department of Development. For those living anywhere in Ohio, call 1-800-362-7557 for weatherization services.
While the state gives out the money, the actual work is usually done by local nonprofits. For Lucas County, Ohio, that's the NeighborWorks Toledo. For Wood, Erie, Sandusky, Ottawa, Huron and Seneca Counties, it's WSOS.
You may also wan to check you utility company. Many utility companies provide weatherization at low or
no cost to low-income customers.In the
areas served by Columbia Gas in Ohio, customers who are below 150% of the poverty
level, and eligible for the PIPP payment program are eligible for the Warm
Choice program.It includes an energy
inspection, insulation, safety check for gas appliances, and, possibly, the
repair or replacement of faulty furnaces or water heaters—all for free. Contact your utility provider to see if they provide services like this.
I had a dizzying experience at a “free money” web site last week. Not because it was full of free money, but because every link led to nowhere. Seriously. The page spoke some accurate stuff about monetary help for heating in the lilheap (Low-Income Home Energy Assistance) program, and had a link. That led to another page talking about…lilheap. And that’s what it did, over and over, round and round. It never provided an actual link to the program, such as this link here to the lilheap clearinghouse. See how easy that was?
But off to the side, was a place where you could buy a book on all that. Of course! Once you get frustrated enough, they can relieve your frustration by selling you a book. Now, I know that not everybody has a day job like me, and you have to make a buck somehow, but really. That was the second “circular” free money site I’ve seen in the month. Here’s a hint, people. If the first or second go-round has nothing, dump the site, and search google with the site:.gov extension. Sometimes that helps, although some government sites now use .org, or outsource to a .com site. But if you can’t get direct information after a pass-through or two, just drop the site like it’s hot. I'm not saying it's a scam, because if you buy the book, it may have legit stuff. But to me, first impressions count.
A good place to go is your state's website, and run a search at the site--many have a search box, like I have for this blog. Put in the word you want, like heating or aging or assistance, and see what comes up, and start contacting that department. It might be that the state gives money to your county or city, and the assistance is given out at that level. Or it may go through nonprofit agencies in your area.
You will read a lot of nonsense on the internet about emergency grants for needy individuals. Most of it is hogwash. You will click links that you think will be helpful, and they will point you to books that cost $39, $99, or some other silly amount of money. Don’t buy them. Trust me, they will rip you off. And if you see an ad for a free seminar somewhere in a hotel room, run away as fast as your legs can carry you.
The problem is, we are in a depression/recession, and politicians are afraid of spending a penny for an increasingly desperate nation with lots of poor people. Unless, of course, you are a defense contractor, or a millionaire who is terrified that your taxes might go up. Then our politicians can’t wait to come to your rescue. Enough of my rant. The following is my total rundown of all I know right now about emergency financial help, anywhere in the country. And I swear it won’t cost you a single penny. Here goes:
Try 211. Many areas of the country have a 2-1-1 phone number that can be dialed for help in finding emergency housing, food, power, etc. Check this link to see if you are covered by 211.
Try your county human services office. This is called by different names, depending on your state. In Ohio, it’s Jobs and Family Services. It was once the old Welfare Department in most places, now it's often called Family Services or Human Services. Here's the state contacts--they can tell you how to get in touch with the county people. Despite the crap you read on internet sites, it is still the place that has the most funds for individuals. THIS is where you apply for TANF money, NOT directly from the federal government. Please contact them if you have children, since many funds and programs are designed to support families with minor children.
Are you eligible for benefits like food stamps or other financial help? In several states, you can see this website, or dial this number to find a place where a trained counselor can help you find cash benefits that you are eligible for (if you are disabled, they will come to your house and work with you). Or try this link to find websites where you can check your own eligibility for benefits.
The PIPP Plus heating plan begins in Ohio this fall. In it, people who are within 150% of the poverty level, who are served by state regulated utilities, can be charged a flat percentage of their monthly income (6% if gas is their primary heat source; 10% if electricity) year round. The bonus is that if they keep current with their payments--full, on-time payments each month--they will be given a credit for the money they owed the utility from the past. I tell people that there is rarely money to pay old debts, but in this case, you can in fact help erase your old debts. Contact your local Community Action Agency, or call (800) 282-0880 between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. for more information.
If you are in another state, see this energy assistance page to find a good program for you. Many states, like Ohio, have several programs to help people in energy need. Here's a page with links to the disconnect policies of each of the states, telling you under what circumstances power companies in states are forbidden to shut off power.
We at Free Money Ate My Brain aren't all work and no play--we enjoy a good laugh, too. Image our surprise when this one fell in our lap. Yes, that's the Queen of England trying to tap into a heating fund for the poor to warm up her palaces. Silly girl! As we say incessantly in this blog, most of those types of programs are means-tested--meaning you have to be poor or at least of moderate income to qualify. Qualification for many programs vary, but that aren't usually generous enough to cover richer-than-God folk. Unless they are farm subsidies. And then, you may not have to even be breathing.
If you want to check out how to apply for heating assistance in your state, see this site. It will give you direct links. If you don't see your state listed, click on the drop-down list to find out where to apply. If you want to see about the legal requirements for shut-offs of power, see this website. But also contact your local utility provider. They may have more information about payment plans to help you out.
It’s officially summer for a little bit more, but in a couple of weeks, the days will be shorter than the nights. Heat (and how to pay for it), will come back into focus. In Ohio, a variety of programs are in play and are easy to find at the state's website, the most prominent one being HEAP, a one-time payment to help low-income residents of the state. By “low income,” they mean less than 200% of the poverty level for your household, or about $44,100 for a household of four people. It's also important to note that if you have had a sudden loss of income and can't qualify under your annual income, you may qualify for the last 3 months.
There are other plans, too, like the Patriot Plan to help the families of some military families on active duty. This prevents shut-offs and helps work out a repayment plan when they come back to civilian life.
Obviously, Ohio is not the only state with such programs. To see all the states’ programs, go to this website, with links for low-income energy plans for each state and links to applications for help. And, if worse comes to worst, there’s a link to the official shutoff policies in each state, along with emergency numbers and links to complaint forms. The secret is to not let the situation go that far. At the liheap website, you can see the office in charge of energy for each state. Contact them or you utility first to see if they can direct you to a suitable plan
The state of Ohio now has a webpage with nearly everything you have to know about keeping the heat on in your home this winter. Of course, the governor has used his public official's perogative to slap his kisser on the front page, but beyond that it's a treasure trove of information, with links to winter heating assistance programs (including your rights to energy reconnection), how to understand your billing, and a page on conservation that has a link to the home weatherization program.
If you live in another state, the office in charge of the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program has a page providing links to all the state programs in the U.S. It even has links to online application forms where available. Even if your state does not have an online form, there will be some form of assistance, and information about help available through your local utilities. There is even a page outlining the energy disconnect policies in various states.
The state of Ohio has widened its qualifications for HEAP, the (home energy assistance program), right in time for winter. The cutoff for income was once 175% of the poverty level. Now it's 200%. What does this mean? For a household of one, you may qualify if your income is up to $21,660, or $44,100 for a family of four. Get more information and an application at the Ohio Development Agency website..
It's been a long, cold winter, and even with the financial help available, some people are still short of money for energy. Columbia Gas, supplier of gas to over 1,000 counties in Ohio, has announced a new program to help some customers who are behind on their gas bills. It's designed for people who may not be eligible for other types of help. If you make between 175% and 200% of the federal poverty guidelines. The funds can be applied for, and will be distributed by, local Community Action Agencies. You can find the one that covers your area at this website. Contact them, or Columbia Gas at 1-800-344-4077 to see if you qualify.
A couple of months ago, I had a post on worrying about your heat before the game began. Now we are hip deep in winter, and the United Way of Greater Toledo did a great forum on helping people keep their heat on this winter. I summarize the major points below for people in the Toledo area. However, if you are a resident of another state, there is still good stuff to remember. Always let your utility company know if you are having problems. Most have alternate payment plans, like budgeting, or ways to deal with arrearages, that will allow you to keep your heat.
Also, the utility commission in your state can be your friend. Often, there are regulations about power shutoffs that may be able to delay them until you can get something together and deal with the power company. Again, DON'T WAIT. Check the listing of state utility commissions, and find the one for your state. Check their programs, and see if they have hotlines that you can call if you are in danger of a shutoff.
Your local community action agency can be your friend, too. What's that? It's a nonprofit agency that is created to help the poor. They are the product of the war on poverty, and they are often the agencies designated to distribute help in home heating and weatherization. Find yours in a state-by-state rundown of CAAs at the Community Action Partnership website.
Now for the Toledo area stuff:
1)First and foremost, contact the utility when you are first aware that you will be having trouble paying your bills.Don't wait till things get bad. You may be able to work out a payment plan. This is important, because you may be able to make payment arrangements that will make your bills small enough to handle. Toledo Edison: Monday-Friday: 7:30-7:00 800-447-3333; Columbia Gas Monday-Friday, 7:00-7:00 800-344-4077; Department of Public Utilities Monday-Friday 9-4 419-245-1800.
2)PIPP (Percentage of Income Payment Plan). Eligibility: 150% or less of federal poverty guidelines.Utility in customer’s name.It’s an extended payment program that requires gas and electric companies to accept payments based on the percentage of the monthly household income for those customers who are at or below 150% of the federal poverty level.If they qualify, the customer can pay 10% of the household’s current gross monthly income to the utility that provides the primary source of heat, and 5% of the current gross monthly income to the company that provides the secondary source of heat.If the customer is at or below 50% of the poverty level, the customer will pay 3 percent instead of 5 percent to the secondary source of heat.If they only have one source of heat, they pay 15% or 13% to that one heat provider. HOWEVER, the customer is still responsible for paying the arrearages (the difference between the current usage and the required PIPP payment). Customers who become ineligible for PIPP based on a change in their household size or income level will be placed on an arrearage crediting program. Arrearage crediting will assist the customer to pay back the arrearages that were incurred while participating on PIPP. In LucasCounty, people can sign up through EOPA.For more information, call EOPA at (866) 504-7392.
3)HEAP--Provides a one-time payment for utility assistance during the winter.In LucasCounty, contact EOPA at (866) 504-7392.In Wood, Ottawa, Sandusky, and SenecaCounties, call WSOS at (800) 775-9767.
4)Emergency HEAP-Provides disconnection assistance payment up to $175 during the winter months. In LucasCounty, contact EOPA at (866) 504-7392.In Wood, Ottawa, Sandusky, and SenecaCounties, call WSOS at (800) 775-9767.
5)HeatShare Program—Sponsored by Columbia Gas of Ohio and administered by the Salvation Army to help qualifying households pay natural gas bills.For more information, call the Salvation Army at (419) 241-3549.
6)Home Weatherization Assistance Program: Provides education and funding to help low-income households lower their energy use.Services include insulation, air leakage reduction, heating system repairs or replacements, and health and safety testing and inspections.Funded by the Ohio Office of Energy Efficiency, it is administered locally by EOPA.Call them at (419) 242-7304.
7)Winter Reconnect Order--The order allows customers who are disconnected or being threatened with disconnection the opportunity to pay a maximum of $175 to restore or maintain their utility service.If the power is already shut off, there can be a maximum reconnect fee of $20 (any extra costs may be added onto a later bill).There is no income requirement, and individuals who have committed acts of fraud in payments to utilities are ineligible.May only be used once between October 20, 2008 and April 15, 2009. The customer or EOPA must contact the utility to enroll the customer in a payment plan. Call the utility in question.
8)One-sixth payment plan- Customer is responsible for paying their current bill plus one-sixth of their arrearages for six months. Customer should contact utility company to enroll on this plan.
9)One-third payment plans- Customer is responsible for paying one-third of their total account balance to maintain utility service from November through April 15. Customer should contact utility company to enroll on this plan.
10)Medical certificates.If a doctor’s office can verify that someone living in the home has a medical condition that cannot tolerate a power shutoff, it must be shown to the utility.May be used to prevent disconnection or restore service within 21 days of the disconnection.If issued, it will prohibit disconnection for 30 days.Can be used a total of three times during the year.Call the utility in question.
11)LucasCounty Veterans Commission--They provide emergency financial assistance for honorably discharged Lucas County Veterans.This is limited both in number of times that it can be used, and in the amount of money available.For more information, please call 419-213-6090.
12)Salvation Army may have funds for emergency utility reconnection.Will meet with clients by appointment only.Their appointment hotline is 419-241-2294.
Even in the long and sweltering days of summer, people are worried about how to find money to heat their homes in the coming winter. Some are already "hooked up" in the system, but many who are newly unemployed or otherwise financially jammed up have no idea where to go.
The federal government's Department of Health and Human Services now has a site to help, the LIHeap Clearinghouse. At this site, you can get state-by-state information on local agencies where you can sign up for heating assistance. Because like most programs, the money comes from the feds, but it's distributed locally. When you click on the site, choose your state. It will then show you a phone number to make inquiries (usually toll-free), and you will also get a link for local LIHEAP administering agency contacts. Click this to find a list of agencies in the state, and contact the one that covers your city or county. It will also give some eligibility requirements, and other possible sources of assistance for heating and weather proofing. While you might not be able to apply right away (in Ohio, you generally can't apply until September), you should find out when you can file, where to file, the eligibility guidelines and the documentation you need (like pay stubs, or power bills) to prove your eligibility.
Remember: the program only lasts as long as the federal funding holds out. Find out what you have to do now!
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