Georgia provides low-income residents with assistance in paying utility bills.
Georgia residents can receive assistance to help pay for their utility bills through several public welfare and service programs. Qualified applicants can receive financial assistance for telephone, electric and gas bills and for home weatherization. The programs have different qualification requirements, so study the criteria carefully before applying.
Energy Crisis Program
The Energy Assistance Program provides energy crisis assistance to low-income families in Georgia who currently have no energy connection or are facing energy disconnection. The program is only available during November and December to help senior citizens, homebound residents, or those suffering from life-threatening illnesses. If eligible, these residents receive help to prevent disconnection or to restore electricity.
Home Energy Assistance Program
Eligible low-income homeowners and renters can receive a $350 subsidy for utility costs through the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP). Local community action groups provide the funds to needy Georgia residents until available funds are exhausted.
Low Income Energy Help
There are several options for Georgia residents to pay for their heating and gas bills. The George Power Company and the Atlanta Gas Light Company provides matching funds to donations by other customers, then distributes the balance to low-income customers. The state government administers the Heating and Energy Assistance Team (HEAT) program.
Telephone Bill Assistance
Georgia provides two different types of telephone bill assistance to its needy applicants. The Lifeline Assistance program gives eligible applicants in the AT&T Georgia service area a $13.50 credit. Of this credit amount, AT&T provides $3.50 and the remaining $10 is from federal subsidies. The other program, Link Up Georgia, provides a reduced fee for hook-up charges to needy customers. AT&T can waive any remaining fees for customers in its area. Other telephone company customers can receive a $30 or a 50-percent reduction for the costs of connection, whichever is lesser.
The telephone subsidy programs are only available to low-income Georgia residents who receive public welfare food stamps, Medicaid or SSI, or who receive assistance through the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program. Senior citizens who already receive gas and electricity assistance qualify for the telephone assistance programs.
Weatherization Help
Needy Georgia residents can receive repair help or financial assistance to weatherize their homes to make them more energy-efficient, thereby reducing future utility costs. The Georgia Environmental Finance Authority distributes the cash donations. The Georgia Community Action Agencies provide repair help to renovate and repair homes for low-income residents.
Senior Citizen Fee Discounts
Georgia residents who are age 65 and older may qualify for senior citizen utility discounts if their household incomes are less than $14,355 annually. The discounted rate provides a $14 reduction on each utility bill from Georgia Power, Savannah Electric Power or Atlanta Gas Light Company.
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
Georgia provides financial assistance to its very low-income residents to help them afford electricity or gas. Qualified residents must have annual incomes that are 150% below Georgia's poverty level for that year, and are financially responsible for household heating costs. Assistance is limited to Georgia residents who are legal U.S. citizens or resident aliens.
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