Help is available for South Carolina residents who are struggling to pay their utility bills.
Help is available to South Carolina individuals and families having challenges paying their utility bills. Some forms of assistance offer cost-cutting steps for all residents, while other forms of assistance are created for people who demonstrate a financial need. Residents seeking help in paying their utility bills should contact these resources as soon as they start to experience economic hardship.
Weatherization Assistance Program
South Carolina residents who are disabled, living on low incomes and raising children or who are elderly can apply to receive help making their homes more energy-efficient through the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP). For example, eligible residents can work with WAP professionals to seal cracks in windows and doors and inspect and repair their furnaces, steps that will help to lower their utility bills. Residents apply to receive help from WAP at their county community action agency. They can also call the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity by dialing 803-734-0662 to apply.
Woodyard Fund
The Woodyard Fund, in conjunction with the Salvation Army, offers financial assistance to families who experience financial hardships due to a job loss, illness or natural disaster (such as fire or hurricane). As with the other programs, monies received from the fund are paid directly to utility companies. South Carolinians must receive a past-due notice or a notice that their utilities are scheduled for shutoff in order to receive assistance from the Woodyard Fund. Anyone who needs help paying their utilities can get an application to receive Woodyard Fund support through a local Salvation Army office.
Low Income Energy Assistance Program
If a South Carolina resident's income does not exceed 150 percent of the national poverty level or 60 percent of the South Carolina median income, he could qualify to receive help to pay utility bills through the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP). As of 2011, the national poverty level for a family of one person was $10,890; it was $37,630 for a family of eight.
Duke Energy Assistance Programs
The Duke Energy Foundation's "Share the Warmth" program works with more than 80 charitable organizations such as the United Way, Christian Crisis Center, Matthews Help Center and Inter-Faith Council for Social Services to provide financial assistance to low-income South Carolina residents struggling to pay their heating bills. The program has distributed more than $28 million to the state's residents since it began in 1985. If residents are having difficulty paying their cooling utility bills, they can receive help through the Duke Energy Foundation's "Cooling Assistance" program. Financial assistance is also offered to seniors who need help to purchase a fan through the foundation's "Fan-Heat Relief" program. To receive support through the "Share the Warmth" or "Cooling Assistance" programs, South Carolina residents should contact one of the 80 charitable organizations through which the Duke Energy Foundation distributes the funds.
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