Local in DeKalb County (6)
Cherokee Electric Cooperative
Local · Calhoun, Cherokee, DeKalb, Etowah, Marshall Counties, AL
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.
(256) 927-5524
- 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.
Fort Payne Improvement Authority
Local · DeKalb County, AL
Municipal TVA power distributor; ask about payment extensions, budget billing and local customer-funded aid.
(256) 845-0671
- Who
- Customers in the service area.
- Where
- 115 Godfrey Avenue South, Fort Payne, AL 35967
- Good to know
- Fort Payne and surrounding DeKalb County. Contact from TVA local power company directory; no assistance program verified online - refer to CAPNA/community action for LIHEAP.
Marshall-DeKalb Electric Cooperative - Project Help
Local · DeKalb, Marshall Counties, AL
Project Help member-donation fund gives financial assistance to local members in need; prepay portal; Mon-Fri 7am-4:30pm.
(256) 593-4262
- Who
- Members of the cooperative; hardship/elderly/disabled members for assistance funds.
- Where
- 10025 Alabama State Route 168, Boaz, AL 35957
- Good to know
- Recipient criteria not posted - call. Counties inferred from name (TVA-supplied co-op). 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.
Sand Mountain Electric Cooperative
Local · Cherokee, DeKalb, Jackson, Marshall Counties, AL
Electric service (TVA-supplied); online billing, bank draft, member FAQ.
(256) 638-2153
- 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
Local · Cherokee, DeKalb Counties, AL
Emergency assistance; call for hours.
(256) 997-0858
- 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
Local · 67 Alabama counties
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.
No phone listed · Website ↗
- 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.
Statewide programs that serve DeKalb County (9)
LIHEAP energy assistance
Community Action Agency of Northeast Alabama
Statewide, AL
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.
855-287-1730
- 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 DeKalb 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)
Statewide, AL
Emergency help with energy bills, given out through the county LIHEAP agency.
Ask the LIHEAP agency above
- Who
- Low-income households or those in temporary hardship
Alabama electric cooperatives (AREA)
Alabama Rural Electric Association
Statewide, AL
Points co-op members to their local electric cooperative for billing help.
1-800-410-2732
- Who
- Members of Alabama electric cooperatives
Alabama Power low-income bill credit
Alabama Power
Statewide, AL
A $14.50 monthly credit on the power bill.
1-800-245-2244
- Who
- Alabama Power customers receiving SSI or Medicaid for Low Income Families
Alabama Power Special Needs Assistance
Alabama Power
Statewide, AL
Due dates matched to benefit check dates, Braille or large-print bills, and services for deaf customers.
1-800-245-2244
- Who
- Alabama Power customers with special needs or on monthly government checks
Project SHARE
Salvation Army of Greater Birmingham
Statewide, AL
Emergency help with power bills for older and disabled Alabamians, funded by Alabama Power customers and electric co-ops.
(205) 328-2420
- Who
- Age 60+ or a person with a disability
Public Service Commission consumer complaints
Alabama Public Service Commission
Statewide, AL
Takes complaints about regulated power, gas, water and phone utilities after the customer has tried the utility.
1-800-392-8050
- Who
- Customers of PSC-regulated utilities
United Way 2-1-1
Anywhere
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.
2-1-1
- Who
- Anyone
Weatherization
Community Action Agency of Northeast Alabama
Statewide, AL
Free home energy upgrades like insulation and air sealing that lower bills going forward. The state line routes them to their county's agency.
855-287-1730
- 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.
Other help in DeKalb County