Help Paying Power Bills in Russell 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.

Project SHARE (Alabama Power / Salvation Army utility assistance)

Project Share

Helps pay Alabama Power bills; apply at the listed agency for your county (Salvation Army office or community action agency).

Who

Alabama Power customers in crisis, priority to older adults (60+) and people with disabilities.

Where

2015 26th Ave N, Birmingham 35234

Good to know

County list = counties in the Project SHARE servicing-agency table (Alabama Power territory). Priority group is from general program info, confirm with agency.

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.

Russell Baptist Association

Food pantry 1st and 3rd Thursdays 9:30am-12pm; limited bill help, hygiene items and clothing for job seekers.

Who

Lee or Russell County residents at or below poverty level

Where

1501 Broad St, Phenix City 36867

Good to know

Another directory lists a center at 1606 5th Ave, Phenix City 36869.

Tallapoosa River Electric Cooperative

Electric service; main office 8am-5pm CT, Fort Mitchell 8am-5pm ET.

Who

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

Where

15163 U.S. Hwy 431 South, LaFayette, AL 36862

Good to know

Toll-free (800) 332-8732. No assistance program found online - ask. 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 - Columbus/Phenix City

Limited help with rent, utilities and mortgages, clothing, prescriptions, baby supplies, holiday food and toys; low-cost thrift stores.

Who

Low-income Phenix City / Russell County residents

Where

1718 2nd Ave, Columbus, GA 31901

Good to know

Office is in Columbus, GA; call to confirm Russell County intake.

The Salvation Army Columbus, GA (serves Russell County)

Project SHARE power-bill help and emergency assistance for Russell County residents.

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

5201 Warm Springs Rd, Columbus, GA 31909

Good to know

Listed in Project SHARE county table as a Russell County agency. Other lists show (706) 327-0275, 1718 2nd Ave.

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 Russell 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

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.