Help Paying Power Bills in Cherokee County, AL

ABC Trust (Alabama Business Charitable Trust Fund)

Helps pay heating and cooling bills through local community action agencies.

Who

Low-income families and households facing temporary financial problems.

Good to know

Apply through your county community action agency (agency finder: https://caaalabama.org/resources/agency-finder/). Funded by Alabama Power shareholders.

Cherokee Electric Cooperative

Levelized billing and senior/disability due-date matching (Cycle 64/65: bill due 8th or 22nd to match benefit check); office Mon-Fri 7:30am-4:15pm.

Who

Members of the cooperative; hardship/elderly/disabled members for assistance funds.

Where

1550 Clarence E Chesnut Jr Bypass, Centre, AL 35960

Good to know

Cycle form: https://www.cherokee.coop/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/CherokeeElectric-cycle-64-65-form.pdf (65+ or on disability/SSI; attach benefits letter). Outage (800) 952-2667. Counties from co-op site. Ask the co-op about payment extensions and medical/life-support flags; Alabama PSC Rule 12(E) does not regulate co-op disconnect rules, each co-op's own board policy applies.

City of Piedmont Utilities

Municipal electric system (Energy Southeast/AMEA member); ask about payment extensions and any local customer-funded assistance.

Who

City utility customers.

Good to know

Website from Energy Southeast (AMEA) member list; utility phone not verified - check city site. Energy Southeast office (334) 262-1126. Refer to Project SHARE / community action for bill help.

Project SHARE (Alabama Power / Salvation Army) - statewide line

Project SHARE

Emergency winter (and summer, if funds allow, for medical emergencies) power-bill help funded by Alabama Power customer donations; also serves rural electric co-op customers.

Who

Low-income Alabamians age 60+ and/or disabled.

Where

PO Box 11005, Birmingham, AL 35202 (donations)

Good to know

Apply at the local Project SHARE partner agency for your county (separate entries); call ext. 2 for the local office. Program page says 57 counties served.

Sand Mountain Electric Cooperative

Electric service (TVA-supplied); online billing, bank draft, member FAQ.

Who

Members of the cooperative; hardship/elderly/disabled members for assistance funds.

Where

402 Main Street West, Rainsville, AL 35986

Good to know

No assistance program found online - ask about extensions. Ask the co-op about payment extensions and medical/life-support flags; Alabama PSC Rule 12(E) does not regulate co-op disconnect rules, each co-op's own board policy applies.

The Salvation Army DeKalb County Service Center

Emergency assistance; call for hours.

Who

Low-income households in crisis in the service area; ID, proof of address/income and the past-due bill or lease usually required; aid depends on available funds.

Where

450 Gault Ave N, Fort Payne 35967

Good to know

Counties from Salvation Army ALM division location directory (salvationarmyusa.org/usa-southern-territory/alabama-louisiana-and-mississippi/location-directory/).

Alabama Public Service Commission - utility complaints & disconnect rules

Takes complaints about PSC-regulated utilities (Alabama Power, Spire); PSC General Rule 12(E) requires termination rules giving special consideration when life/health is threatened or for age/handicap.

Who

Customers of investor-owned utilities (not co-ops, municipal or most water boards).

Good to know

Rule 12(E) summary from LIHEAP Clearinghouse vulnerable-population disconnect page (liheapch.ncat.org/node/2812). PSC phone not verified here - see website.

LIHEAP energy assistance

Community Action Agency of Northeast Alabama

Federal energy help paid straight to the power or gas company. Every Alabama county is served by a Community Action Agency that takes the applications.

Who

Income at or under 150% of the federal poverty level. Heating season: Oct 1 – Apr 30.

Where

1481 McCurdy Ave S, Rainsville 35986

Email

communityactionagency@caaneal.org

Good to know

Office line: 256-638-4430. This is the LIHEAP agency for Cherokee County (ADECA list).

Bring

• Photo ID
• Social Security cards for everyone in the home
• Last month's income proof for every adult
• Utility bill in the applicant's name

ABC Trust energy help

Alabama Business Charitable Trust (Alabama Power)

Emergency help with energy bills, given out through the county LIHEAP agency.

Who

Low-income households or those in temporary hardship

Alabama electric cooperatives (AREA)

Alabama Rural Electric Association

Points co-op members to their local electric cooperative for billing help.

Who

Members of Alabama electric cooperatives

Alabama Power low-income bill credit

Alabama Power

A $14.50 monthly credit on the power bill.

Who

Alabama Power customers receiving SSI or Medicaid for Low Income Families

Alabama Power Special Needs Assistance

Alabama Power

Due dates matched to benefit check dates, Braille or large-print bills, and services for deaf customers.

Who

Alabama Power customers with special needs or on monthly government checks

Project SHARE

Salvation Army of Greater Birmingham

Emergency help with power bills for older and disabled Alabamians, funded by Alabama Power customers and electric co-ops.

Who

Age 60+ or a person with a disability

Public Service Commission consumer complaints

Alabama Public Service Commission

Takes complaints about regulated power, gas, water and phone utilities after the customer has tried the utility.

Who

Customers of PSC-regulated utilities

United Way 2-1-1

Free, 24/7 referral line. Finds the smaller church and community funds near their address that open up week to week. Also 1-888-421-1266, or text a ZIP code to 898-211.

Who

Anyone

Weatherization

Community Action Agency of Northeast Alabama

Free home energy upgrades like insulation and air sealing that lower bills going forward. The state line routes them to their county's agency.

Who

Income at or under 200% of the federal poverty level

Where

1481 McCurdy Ave S, Rainsville 35986

Email

communityactionagency@caaneal.org

Good to know

Office line: 256-638-4430.