Programs that pay all or a portion of the utility bills of people whose utilities have been or are at risk of being shut off and who meet age, income, disability, need or other requirements. In some cases, the utility company itself will match payments of customers who are in arrears as long as they commit to and follow a regular payment schedule. Also included are non-emergency programs that provide utility assistance for low-income households, usually once per calendar year; programs that arrange for balanced payment plans in which utility billing amounts are stable throughout the year despite seasonal fluctuations and increases and decreases in energy use; and programs that help people negotiate manageable utility bill payment plans in situations where there are some resources available for this purpose.
Taxonomy Code: BR-900.910
<< Back to Subject Heading List