Help Paying Power Bills in Tuscaloosa County, AL

The Salvation Army Tuscaloosa Corps

Salvation Army Center of Hope

Emergency shelter (Center of Hope) for men, women and families, food pantry (M-F 9am-3pm), and emergency rent/utility help and motel vouchers by appointment as funds allow.

Who

Tuscaloosa-area residents in need; financial help about once every 90 days

Where

2902 Greensboro Ave, Tuscaloosa 35401

Good to know

Pantry line listed as ext. 105. Older listings also show (205) 758-2804.

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.

Black Warrior EMC

Electric service; payment options and member FAQ online; office Mon-Fri 7:30am-4:30pm.

Who

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

Where

1410 Highway 43 South, Demopolis, AL 36732

Good to know

Counties from bylaws district list. Toll-free (800) 242-2580. No assistance program found online - ask about extensions; refer to Project SHARE. 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.

Catholic Social Services of West Alabama

Catholic Family Services

Food pantry by appointment (Tue-Thu 9:30-11:30am; call Mon-Thu after 2pm to book), clothing closet, diapers/formula, limited help with rent, deposits and utility bills.

Who

Anyone in need; financial help about once a month, food about every 3 months

Where

608 James I Harrison Jr Pkwy E, Tuscaloosa 35405

Good to know

Also listed as 608 37th St E (same location, renamed street).

Christ Episcopal Church - Emergency Assistance

Limited help with water, gas and power bills, rent and deposits (focus on back rent to prevent eviction); Mondays only.

Who

Tuscaloosa residents in crisis; about once every 6 months

Where

605 Lurleen Wallace Blvd N, Tuscaloosa 35401

Good to know

Funds limited; call Monday morning.

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.

Project SHARE intake - The Salvation Army Tuscaloosa

Project SHARE

Takes Project SHARE applications for emergency power-bill help (Alabama Power and rural electric co-op customers), mainly winter and peak summer.

Who

Low-income residents age 60+ and/or disabled; bring ID, bill/cutoff notice, proof of income.

Where

2902 Greensboro Avenue, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401

Good to know

Listed as the Project SHARE partner agency on the Salvation Army Project SHARE county table.

SVdP - Holy Spirit Conference (Tuscaloosa)

SVdP

Emergency assistance and food help; call for days.

Who

Low-income people living in the conference's parish ZIP area; usually a phone intake then home visit; limited funds.

Where

733 James I Harrison Jr Pkwy E, Tuscaloosa 35405

Temporary Emergency Services of Tuscaloosa County

TES

Free food, clothing and household items, plus utility bill help (incl. Alabama Power Project SHARE heating grants); M-F 8am-4:30pm, Sat 8:30am-3pm.

Who

Low-income Tuscaloosa County residents; some help needs a referral

Where

1705 15th St, Tuscaloosa 35401

Good to know

Second number listed: (205) 345-7330.

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

Community Service Programs of West Alabama

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

601 Black Bears Way, Tuscaloosa 35401

Good to know

Office line: 205-752-5429. Clients 60 and older can call 205-469-0386. This is the LIHEAP agency for Tuscaloosa 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

Community Service Programs of West Alabama

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

601 Black Bears Way, Tuscaloosa 35401

Good to know

Office line: 205-752-5429. Clients 60 and older can call 205-469-0386.