Local in Shelby County (12)
ABC Trust (Alabama Business Charitable Trust Fund)
Local · 57 Alabama counties
Helps pay heating and cooling bills through local community action agencies.
No phone listed · Website ↗
- 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.
Central Alabama Electric Cooperative - Project Share
Local · 10 Alabama counties
Member-funded Project Share pays energy bills directly for eligible households struggling with basic costs; plus billing/payment options.
(334) 365-6762
- Who
- Members of the cooperative; hardship/elderly/disabled members for assistance funds.
- Where
- 103 Jesse Samuel Hunt Blvd., Prattville, AL 36066
- Good to know
- Toll-free (800) 545-5735; email support@coop.caec.com. Eligibility not posted online - call. Counties approximate (not confirmed on 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.
Coosa Valley Electric Cooperative - Lights of Hope
Local · Calhoun, Clay, Coosa, St. Clair, Shelby, Talladega Counties, AL
Lights of Hope (with Houston Project) pays toward utility bills of veteran members facing hardship; also SmartPay prepay and Firemen's Friend Fund; office Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.
(256) 362-4180
- Who
- Members of the cooperative; hardship/elderly/disabled members for assistance funds.
- Where
- 69220 AL Hwy 77, Talladega, AL 35160
- Good to know
- Lights of Hope: veterans who are CVEC or Coosa Valley Propane customers; call Houston Project (205) 369-8756. Email info@coosavalleyec.com. Counties approximate. 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.
Project SHARE (Alabama Power / Salvation Army utility assistance)
Project Share
Local · 52 Alabama counties
Helps pay Alabama Power bills; apply at the listed agency for your county (Salvation Army office or community action agency).
(205) 328-2420
- 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
Local · 57 Alabama counties
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.
(205) 328-2420 ext. 2
- 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.
Project SHARE intake - Community Action Partnership of Middle Alabama
Project SHARE
Local · Autauga, Chilton, Elmore, Shelby Counties, AL
Takes Project SHARE applications for emergency power-bill help (Alabama Power and rural electric co-op customers), mainly winter and peak summer.
205-755-1204
- Who
- Low-income residents age 60+ and/or disabled; bring ID, bill/cutoff notice, proof of income.
- Where
- 116 Chilton Place, Clanton, AL 35045
- Good to know
- Listed as the Project SHARE partner agency on the Salvation Army Project SHARE county table. County lines: Autauga 205-755-1204; Chilton 205-258-5198; Elmore 334-514-5906; Shelby 205-669-3836.
Shelby Emergency Assistance
Local · Shelby County, AL
Emergency food and other help for families in need; open Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm.
(205) 665-1942
- Who
- Shelby County residents with proof of need
- Good to know
- Montevallo 35115. The directory lists only the food pantry; ask about rent and utility help.
SVdP - St. Mark the Evangelist Conference (Birmingham)
SVdP
Local · Jefferson, Shelby Counties, AL
Eviction prevention: rent/mortgage, utility, food and medicine help after a home visit; veterans special projects.
(205) 980-1810
- Who
- Low-income people living in the conference's parish ZIP area; usually a phone intake then home visit; limited funds.
- Good to know
- Mailing: P.O. Box 380396, Birmingham 35238.
The Salvation Army - Shelby County Corps
Local · Shelby County, AL
Food pantry Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9am, plus emergency help.
(205) 663-7105
- Who
- Shelby County residents
- Good to know
- Alabaster 35007. Call to ask about utility help.
The Salvation Army Alabaster Service Center (Shelby County Corps)
Local · Chilton, Shelby Counties, AL
Emergency rent/utility help and Project SHARE power-bill help; Mon-Fri 8:30am-5:00pm.
(205) 663-7105
- 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
- 108 Plaza Cir, Ste E, Alabaster 35007
- Good to know
- Project SHARE agency for Shelby County. Chilton coverage per local news (Clanton Advertiser); Birmingham Area Command directory also lists Chilton.
The Salvation Army Birmingham Area Command (Social Services)
Salvation Army Birmingham
Local · Chilton, Jefferson, St. Clair, Shelby Counties, AL
Emergency rent, mortgage and utility help plus Project SHARE power-bill help; social services Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:00pm.
(205) 328-2420
- 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
- 2015 26th Ave N, Birmingham 35234
- Good to know
- Counties from Salvation Army ALM division location directory (salvationarmyusa.org/usa-southern-territory/alabama-louisiana-and-mississippi/location-directory/). Birmingham 614 Corps at same address: (205) 252-6616.
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 Shelby County (9)
LIHEAP energy assistance
Community Action Partnership of Middle 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.
205-287-0139
- Who
- Income at or under 150% of the federal poverty level. Heating season: Oct 1 – Apr 30.
- Where
- 116 Chilton Place, Clanton 35045
- Good to know
- Office line: 205-258-5198. This is the LIHEAP agency for Shelby 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 Partnership of Middle 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.
205-287-0139
- Who
- Income at or under 200% of the federal poverty level
- Where
- 116 Chilton Place, Clanton 35045
- Good to know
- Office line: 205-258-5198.
Other help in Shelby County