Gas and Heating Bill Help in Macon County, AL

Project SHARE (Alabama Power / Salvation Army energy assistance)

Project SHARE

Emergency help paying power and heating bills during peak winter and summer months, funded by Alabama Power customer donations and run by The Salvation Army with local intake agencies.

Who

Alabamians age 60+ or with a disability

Good to know

Call 205-328-2420 ext. 2 for the local office. Local intake: Greene - 116 Prairie Ave, Eutaw (205) 372-4562; Sumter - Community Service Programs of West Alabama (205) 652-1346; Hale - 800 Hall St, Greensboro (334) 624-4455; Bullock - Bullock County Aging Program, P.O. Box 472, Union Springs (334) 738-2928; Macon - Macon-Russell Community Action Agency, 501 S. School St Ste B, Tuskegee (334) 727-6100. Funds are seasonal and limited.

The Salvation Army Lee County Service Center

Emergency assistance and Project SHARE power-bill help; 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

1038 Opelika Rd, Auburn 36830

Good to know

Counties from Salvation Army ALM division location directory (salvationarmyusa.org/usa-southern-territory/alabama-louisiana-and-mississippi/location-directory/). Project SHARE table shows a 601 area-code number for this office (likely an error); use 334-826-0073.

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

Macon-Russell Community Action Agency

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

501 S School St, Tuskegee 36083

Good to know

Office line: 334-727-6100. This is the LIHEAP agency for Macon 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

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

Spire Alabama assistance

Spire Alabama (natural gas)

Waives the monthly charge for SSI households, DollarHelp toward gas bills, payment plans and budget billing.

Who

Spire customers; SSI households for the waiver; up to 300% of poverty for DollarHelp

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

Macon-Russell Community Action Agency

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

501 S School St, Tuskegee 36083

Good to know

Office line: 334-727-6100.