ASSISTANCE FOR UTILITY BILLS
1997-2007 by Neighborhood Legal Services, Inc.
_____________________________________________________________

What Can I Do When I Cannot Afford My Utility Bills?

        If you cannot afford to pay your utility bills, you should first contact the utility company to work out a budget payment plan. Most companies are willing to stretch out your payments based on your income, while they keep your service on. Also, many of the programs described in this informational letter require that you attempt to negotiate a Deferred Payment Agreement (DPA) with your utility before they will accept your application. A Deferred Payment Agreement is a payment schedule that the utility company will create for you based on your income that allows you to pay off your entire bill over time.

I am having trouble paying my telephone bill, what can I do?

        First, you should check with your local phone provider for the cheapest times to use your phone. Bell Atlantic reports that by changing the times that you make calls you could save up to 67% on your regional and long distance phone bills. Second, if you are having trouble paying your bill completely, there are several payment options you could consider.

Special Payment Arrangements and Plans Through Verizon: According to the Verizon's billing and payment information, these forms of payments are available:

Special Payment Arrangements - If on a regular basis you cannot pay your bill by the due date because you are on a fixed income, you may call your service representative to arrange to pay by a different date. A late payment charge will not apply.

Deferred Payment Plans - Deferred payment plans allow a customer to retain basic local service while paying past due bills. Plans can be arranged for deferred payment up to $150 for a five-month period.

Quarterly Payment Plan - If you are 62 or older and your yearly telephone service costs are $150 or less.

Life Line Discounted Telephone Service: Offers a reduced rate to eligible clients on the basic monthly charge for telephone service. This includes a discount on the cost of installing new service. Additional services can be blocked from your phone while giving you basic local service at a reduced fee. For example, long distance calls can be blocked from your phone upon request.

Types of Life Line Service:

Message Rate Life Line Service: If eligible, you can pay $1 a month for basic service, plus regional and long-distance fees. This program is best for those who mostly receive calls or who make few calls a month.

Flat Rate Life Line Service: You pay as little as $2 a month for dial tone service charges and you pay a set monthly charge to make unlimited calls within your primary local calling area (as low as $14 per month). Contact a Verizon representative because Flat Rate Service is not available in all areas. In addition, an installation charge for Life Line Service may be as low as $5 for inside wire and one jack.

        Life Line Service for Residents on Tribal Lands: Under this program you pay as little as $1 per month for dial tone services charges and 9? per outgoing call within your primary calling area. You must qualify for one of the listed programs or receive \assistance from any of the following:

• Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
• Tribally-Administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
• Head Start Program (for those who meet the income requirements)
• National School Lunch Program (free lunch program only)

I am moving and cannot afford to install a new phone line, what can I do?

        Reduced Installation: Clients that are eligible for Life Line Service are also eligible for the Reduced Installation Program. Once approved, you will receive a $50 credit on your account, leaving your installation charges at $5.

Who is eligible for these programs?

        Low-income clients not receiving benefits may also be eligible based on availability (*as of January, 2007, a one-person household is eligible if they earn under $1,702 per month). You may be eligible for these programs if you are receiving:

• Food Stamps
• Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)
• Medicaid
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Veteran's Disability Pension (non-service related)
• Veteran's Surviving Spouse Pension (non-service related)

How do I apply for these programs?

        Call 1-800-799-6874 (Life Line Service phone number).

I am having trouble paying my water bill, what can I do?

        If you live outside of Buffalo, the Erie County Water Authority can set up a payment agreement for your bill. To do so, you are required to go to their office in the Ellicott Square Building at 295 Main Street, Suite 350, Buffalo, NY. Their phone number is 849-8444. If you have questions about your water bill or service, you can call the PSC Hotline at 1-800-342-3377. In certain circumstances, DSS will assist you with your water bills. If you live in the City of Buffalo, call the Buffalo Division of Water at 847-1065. They will make a monthly payment agreement to help you pay your bill.

HEAP: First, before you apply for any other services, apply for the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP). HEAP can help pay past-due utility bills for eligible households.

Who is eligible for HEAP?

        You may be eligible for HEAP if you are getting FA, SNA, SSI or Food Stamps. You may also be eligible if you meet certain income guidelines. You must also have heat, or heat-related bills to be eligible for HEAP.

Is there anyone not eligible for HEAP?

        Under certain circumstances, you are not eligible for HEAP. For instance, if you live in subsidized housing and your heat is paid for, if you are a roomer/boarder, or if you are living in a group home or if you are living in a temporary housing hotel, then you are not eligible for HEAP.

How do I apply for HEAP?

        The HEAP hotline is 858-7870. To apply, go to 291 Pearl Street, Buffalo, NY.

I cannot pay my National Grid bill, what should I do?

        The National Grid sponsors, through the American Red Cross, the Care and Share Program. Care and Share will pay up to $200 (or $500 if repairs are needed) to National Grid for those with a shut-off notice.

Who is Eligible for Care and Share?

        To qualify for Care and Share assistance, applicants must be over 60 years old; OR currently receiving SSI, SSD, Workers Compensation, or Disability (Veterans or other); OR have a verifiable medical condition that would be directly affected by the loss of electricity (i.e., oxygen machine). A current medical statement must accompany your application on doctor's letterhead with the doctors' I.D. number and physicians' signature. Medical statement must include condition and state "The absence of electricity or heat will aggravate the patient's condition." Applicants must also have a shut-off notice and have received or been denied HEAP benefits and must bring in a letter showing amount received from HEAP, or the denial letter.

        If arrears are over $1200 applicants must demonstrate that they have made 4 payments in the past 12 months. There is a 12-month waiting period between application for energy or repair/replacement.

How do I apply for Care and Share?

        Care and Share is available through the American Red Cross. Call 886-7500. Applications are taken 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Monday - Thursday. You must be able to provide the following information or you will not be seen by a caseworker.

• Proof of Age
• Proof of Income
• Proof of Disability (if applicable)
• Doctor's Statement (if applicable)
• Picture ID
• Utility Bill
• Proof of Social Security Number
  

I am having trouble paying my National Fuel bill, what can I do?

        Neighbor-4-Neighbor Heat Fund: Helps qualified household meet basic and emergency energy needs. A grant of up to $300 is available.

Who is eligible for Neighbor-4-Neighbor?

        If you are 60 years old or over, disabled, or have a medical emergency. Open to all residents within National Fuel's service territory with only one grant per customer per program year (Oct. 1-Sept. 30th).

How do I apply for Neighbor-4-Neighbor?

        Applications are taken in person at Catholic Charities (525 Washington Street, 856-4494), or at the Salvation Army (960 Main Street, 883-9800).

Expanded Low Income Residential Assistance (ELIRA): Provides approximately $10 per month off of the regular residential rate. You may also be eligible for emergency heating repair or replacement work.

Who is eligible for ELIRA?

        You are automatically enrolled if emergency HEAP was received for the 2006 year. The account must be a heating account. There is no minimum annual gas consumption or minimum balance requirement. You must also be enrolled in the Budget Plan (see below).

How do I apply for ELIRA?

        Although most customers are automatically enrolled, if you are granted emergency HEAP after the enrollment period, you may call 857-6863 or toll free at 1-800-433-0177.

Low Income Customer Affordablity Program (LICAAP): Provides a bill discount (up to 70%) that varies in amount depending on household size and income. The program includes pre-LICAAP arrears forgiveness, energy conservation education and referrals to other income-support programs. You will have the opportunity to receive complete forgiveness of pre-LICAAP arrears in exchange for making full and timely monthly budget payments. The customer will receive forgiveness of 1/24th of the arrears for each timely payment thereby receiving full arrears forgiveness in 24 months.

Who is eligible for LICAAP?

        To be eligible, you must also be HEAP eligible and have at least $100 in payment arrears on your account and have at least one current, cancelled or defaulted deferred payment agreement on the account at the time of application.

How do I apply for LICAAP?

        Referrals to the program are made by all customer contact personnel at National Fuel, as wellas all community agencies. You may call 686-6123 or 1-800-365-3234.

Elderly, Blind or Disabled Payment Troubled Residential Assistance Program (EBD PTRA): Under this program, you can receive debt forgiveness for monthly payments made on time and in full. Debt is forgiven 1/12th each month for the first year enrolled in the program. You will also receive an approximate 30% reduction off of the regular residential rate. In addition, eligible customers may also receive emergency heating repair/replacement and/or weatherization measures to their home.

Who is eligible for EBD PTRA?

        You must meet HEAP income guidelines. Your account must be a heating account. There is no minimum gas consumption; however, you must have a $100 minimum balance owed. You must also enroll in the Budget Plan (see below).

How do I apply?

        Call 857-6863 or toll free at 1-800-433-0177.

Customer Assistance Referral and Evaluation Services Program (CARES): Designed to assist transitional Public Assistance customers with the timely payment of their gas bills. Transitional Public Assistance customers are those who leave the Department of Social Services PA system and are working towards financial self-sufficiency. A grant of $600 is applied to an eligible customer's account in an effort to assist in the payment of the bill. Budgeting advice and counseling is also a component of the program.

Who is eligible for CARES?

        Those who are identified as moving off of the DSS PA system and continue or establish an active gas account. Must meet income guidelines depending on household size (less than or equal to 200% of the effective Federal Poverty level).

How do I apply for CARES?

        CARES is administered by the Greater Buffalo Chapter of the Salvation Army throughout National Fuel's service area. DSS customers should contact the Department of Social Services office to be referred or call 883-0800, ext. 407.

National Fuel Payment Plans:

        There are several payment plans available that can help those having a hard time making payments or catching up with arrears.

        Deferred Payment Arrangements (DPA): If you have fallen behind on payments and cannot catch up all at once, this plan calls for current bills to be paid on time and in full together with a percentage of the arrears until paid. A down payment may be required. A written, signed agreement is mandatory. Based on financial need, plans may be as low as $10/month, plus current bill or budget plan payment. DPA's are available to all customers with existing payment arrears though eligibility may be affected by frequency of agreement defaults. Call 1-800-365-3234 to arrange a plan.

        The Budget Plan: The Budget Plan levels off monthly payments by spreading heating costs over as many as 12 months, making energy bills more predictable and manageable. The Budget Plan payment may be adjusted periodically to account for changes in gas prices, weather and historic and current gas usage. Also includes a "Summer Break Plan" which allows customers to pay their normal bills in July and August. The remaining 20 months are averaged from September through June. You may enroll anytime. Contact National Fuel at 1-800-365-3234.

        Third Party Notification: This program allows you, the customer, to designate a relative, friend or agency to receive copies of any termination notice sent to the customer. The third party is not responsible for paying the bill; however, they will become aware of the situation and could possibly offer advice or assistance to the customer to help prevent disconnection of utility service. A customer may enroll at anytime. Contact National Fuel at 1-800-365-3234.

        The Extra Security Plan: For senior customers who are retired or permanently disabled, this plan offers an extra measure of security for uninterrupted gas service. Bill due dates are coordinated to coincide with the arrival of income checks to allow for timely payment. You are eligible if you are 62 years of age or older and retired or if you are permanently disabled. Contact National Fuel at 1-800-365-3234.

        Hospitalized Customer Assistance Program: Provides a 30-day penalty free extension of the bill due date for customers hospitalized for 10 days or more. Senior customers 62 and over receive an extension of hospitalized 5 days or more. A physician's statement is necessary to verify the hospital stay. Contact National Fuel at 1-800-365-3234.

I am having trouble paying my NYSE&G bill, what can I do?

PROJECT SHARE: Project Share will pay up to $200 a year to NYSE&G for eligible clients.

Who is eligible for Project Share?

        You must be 60 years of age or older; OR currently receiving SSI, SSD, Worker's Compensation, or Veterans Compensation or Veterans Pension; OR have a verifiable medical condition that would be directly affected by the loss of electricity (i.e., oxygen machine). A medical statement must accompany application on doctor's letterhead with the doctors' I.D. number and physicians' signature. Medical statement must include condition and state the "The absence of electricity or heat will aggravate the patient's condition." Those claiming eligibility based on a medical emergency must first obtain documentation of denial of assistance from DSS before application is completed. There is an 18-month waiting period between applications for Project Share and you must have a shut-off notice.

How do I apply for Project Share?

        To apply contact the American Red Cross at 878-2353. This is the direct line to emergency services and programs. You must have the following information to apply or you will not be seen by a caseworker.

Proof of Age
Proof of Income
Proof of Disability (if claiming disability)
Doctor's statement (if claiming medical condition)
Picture I.D.
Utility Bill
Proof of Social Security Number

Required to apply to at least one of the following:

HEAP (Requirement to have applied for utility assistance, with documented proof)
EAF (Emergency Assistance for Families)
EAA (Emergency Assistance for Adults)

My furnace is broken or unsafe, and I cannot afford to fix it, is there anything I cando?

        The following programs offer emergency repair/replacement, if eligible:

HEAP
Care and Share
Elderly, Blind, or Disabled Payment Troubled Residential Assistance Program
Expanded Low Income Residential Assistance (ELIRA)

My house is not properly weatherized, can anyone help me?

        Yes, the Weatherization Repair Assistance Program is available to provide free or discounted wall insulation, furnaces and weather stripping to eligible clients.

Who is eligible for WRAP?

        If you are eligible for some of the programs listed above, you could also be eligible for WRAP assistance. The New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal (107 Delaware Avenue, Suite 600, Buffalo, New York, phone number 842-2244) list the following providers of weatherization assistance.

Lt. Col. Mat Urban Human Services Center of WNY (893-7222)
Supportive Services Corporation (685-6252)
NHS of South Buffalo (823-3630)

Are there any emergency utility benefits other than HEAP that are available from the Department of Social Services if I am receiving public assistance?

        Yes. DSS may pay up to 4 months of your past-due utility bills depending on your circumstances if you are on public assistance. Once you get this assistance, you will be placed on utility voucher.

I am receiving public assistance, can my utilities be shut-off?

        When you are receiving public assistance your utilities can be shut off, but DSS must help with a shut-off.

Can I get help with my utility bill if I am not receiving public assistance?

        Yes. Under certain circumstances DSS will help avoid a utility shut-off. DSS will pay the lesser of the 4 most recent months, or the balance due on the account. Certain people will have to sign an agreement to repay the arrears within a 12-month period. Go to the Rath Building if you need this assistance.

How do I apply for emergency assistance if I am not on Public Assistance?

        Apply directly on the 1st floor at the Rath Building.

Return to Table of Contents | NLS Home Page | Search the NLS Website