Water Bill and Shutoff Help in Houston County, AL

Catholic Social Services - Dothan

Emergency Assistance Ministry

By appointment Mon-Fri 9am-3pm: food, clothing, furniture and appliances, household and hygiene items, and limited financial help with rent, utilities, medicine and transportation.

Who

Houston County residents in crisis; no religious requirement

Where

557 E. Main St., Dothan 36301

Good to know

Appointments may be scheduled through (251) 434-1500. Bring photo ID for all adults, lease/mortgage, all current bills, SS cards/birth certificates for household, and proof of income.

Catholic Social Services of Dothan

Emergency Assistance Ministry by appointment Mon-Fri 9am-3pm: rent, utilities, medicine, transportation, food, clothing, furniture/appliances.

Who

Anyone in crisis regardless of religion; bring photo ID for adults, lease/mortgage, current bills, proof of income, SS cards for household; limited, usually one-time help.

Where

557 E Main St, Dothan 36301

Email

cssdothan@mobarch.org

Good to know

Appointments may be scheduled via (251) 434-1500.

Dothan Utilities

City electric and water utility; collections office handles payments/arrangements Mon-Fri.

Who

Dothan utility customers.

Where

200 Kilgore Drive, Dothan, AL 36301

Good to know

Collections (334) 615-4100, 126 N Saint Andrews St, Room 105. Outages/water emergencies (334) 615-3302. Assistance programs not verified; Project SHARE intake: Salvation Army Dothan 334-792-1911. Main office hours listed Mon-Thu 7am-4pm.

The Salvation Army Dothan Corps

Basic-needs help and Project SHARE power-bill help for the Wiregrass; 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

1001 S Bell St, Dothan 36301

Good to know

Counties from Salvation Army ALM division location directory (salvationarmyusa.org/usa-southern-territory/alabama-louisiana-and-mississippi/location-directory/). Project SHARE lists 1007 S Bell St.

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.

H2O Foundation

Up to $500 toward a Central Alabama Water bill and up to $1,000 for small plumbing repairs. Can help with deposits to restore service (board approval).

Who

Central Alabama Water customers who meet income and situation guidelines

Good to know

Call the water company the same day so the account is held while H2O reviews.

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