Local in St. Clair County (5)
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.
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) - 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.
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 St. Clair 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 St. Clair 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 St. Clair County