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 keeping your service on.

        A Deferred Payment Agreement (DPA) is a payment schedule that the utility company will create for you based upon your income that allows you to pay off your entire bill over time in monthly installments.

        Before a utility company can disconnect your service (or refuse to reconnect it), it must offer you a DPA. If you can afford to make this agreement, the utility company will allow you to clear up back bills through agreed upon monthly payments while you pay your current bills. In exchange, the utility company will agree not to disconnect your service or will agree to reconnect it.

        The utility company must make a reasonable effort to contact you to discuss a DPA before it cuts off your service. Also, if you attempt to have your service reconnected, the utility company must discuss a DPA with you.

        Either shortly before or at the same time you are threatened with a disconnect, you probably will receive in the mail a "standard DPA.” The standard DPA will require you to make a down payment and fairly high monthly payments on the amount you owe or your service will be disconnected (or not reconnected). If you cannot afford the standard DPA, do not sign it. You have other choices.

        If you enter into a DPA but cannot make the payments, contact the utility company and ask to change the DPA.

        If your financial situation has changed, be sure to tell the utility company. Such changes could include: losing a job or other forms of income or having new medical bills or expenses.

        If you think the utility company is treating you unfairly, complain to the Public Service Commission (PSC) at 847-3400. If you have an emergency, you can also call 1-800-342-3377.

        The purpose of the Homeless Task Force is to seek out the homeless and near homeless and provide free legal assistance. The Homeless Task Force (HTF) was created in 1990 to meet the special need of the Western New York homeless and near homeless population. Generally, the immediate concerns that confront homeless individuals are lack of food, clothing and shelter. Due to the urgency of these needs, the process of seeking legal assistance is not often a priority for a homeless individual. As a result, homeless people are not often aware of their legal rights. By traveling to shelters and dining facilities, HTF is able to overcome many of the obstacles homeless people face when attempting to obtain legal assistance

        HTF is staffed by law students, with support services provided by Neighborhood Legal Services, Inc.

        HTF handles a range of legal issues including family, housing, public benefits, social security/SSI and other legal issues.

For more information contact Neighborhood Legal Services @ 847-0650

If you are having trouble paying your heating bill, first, before you apply for any other services, apply for Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP).

HEAP can help pay past-due utility bills for eligible households. If you are over 60, call the Senior Services at 858-7870. If you are under 60, apply directly at the Department of Social Services in Room 209 of the Rath Building.

Neighbor-4-Neighbor Heat Fund will give eligible clients up to $300 a year to pay for heating expenses. If you are over 55, have had a medical emergency or are disabled and live within a National Fuel territory, you may be eligible. You must get HEAP assistance first and have made four (4) payments within the last year to be eligible.

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

Low Income Residential Assistance (LIRA) will decrease your current bill by 30% to 35%, and you will be put on a budget to repay the remainder of your bill. Under a budget plan, timely payments will reduce your outstanding balance one twelfth (1/12) for twelve (12) months. You can also get credit on your bill if you use less gas than last year. You must show proof of your income, use a minimum 1500 ccf of fuel and have a past-due balance of $300 or more to be eligible for LIRA. You must be HEAP-eligible to qualify. Call National Fuel at 857-6863.

If you need assistance with your Niagara Mohawk bill:

Afford/Ability: First, you should apply for HEAP. Once you have been approved for HEAP and have used any available funds toward your Niagara Mohawk account, request the AFFORD/ABILITY Payment Plan. Under this plan, Niagara Mohawk will establish a budget for you to pay your bills each month. After you have made twelve payments in a row, Niagara Mohawk will forgive 50% of your arrears up to $250. Call Niagara Mohawk at 1-800-443-1837 for more information.

Care and Share: Care and Share will pay up to $200 a year to Niagara Mohawk for your overdue bills. If you are elderly, disabled, have had a medical emergency or are ineligible for any other assistance, you may be eligible for Care and Share. There are no income guidelines for Care and Share. Call the American Red Cross at 886-7500, or call the Salvation Army at 883-9800 when Care and Share is closed. You will have to apply in person at their offices.

PROJECT SHARE: Project Share will pay up to $200 a year to NYSE&G for eligible clients. If you are 60 years of age, disabled, or have a medical emergency, then you may be eligible for Project Share. There are no economic guidelines. You must have a disconnect notice to be eligible. You also must have gone to HEAP to qualify. Contact the American Red Cross at 886-7500 for more information. H

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