Can't pay your electric bill and worried during this heat wave? These programs might help
As temperatures continue to remain high and the heat index climbs into the triple digits, some residents may be concerned about staying safe in their homes, especially if they've been unable to pay their electric bills.
There are a few options available to help, although there are various eligibility requirements.
Here's what to know.
Will power companies turn off electricity to a customer's home in the middle of summer?
Florida Power & Light will not disconnect electricity to customers for non-payment when temperatures are 95 degrees or higher, according to Shelley Ragsdale, with FPL.
"If power is eventually turned off due to nonpayment, we restore service promptly, once payment is received, typically within 24 hours. Customers are encouraged to reach out to a member of our customer service team to learn what options are available to them using the phone number located on their bill or by visiting FPL.com/Help, Ragsdale added.
"At Duke Energy, service disconnections are a last resort after exhausting all other options," according to Audrey Stasko, spokesperson with Duke Energy Florida.
"Duke Energy Florida will not disconnect power for nonpayment of bills for any customer in a Duke Energy Florida Operations Zone with a forecasted 105-degrees heat index for the day as of 7 a.m., based on Duke Energy’s meteorological forecasts."
According to the NWS heat index severity document, 105 is the point where conditions escalate from a time to use caution to danger conditions.
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What if you can't pay your electric bill? What options are available?
There are programs available to help people struggling to pay their electric bills. Some are federal programs and some are offered by local agencies or the power companies themselves.
All have eligibility requirements.
What is the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program?
Known as LIHEAP, the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program is a federal program that helps income-qualified families with home heating and cooling costs.
The Florida Department of Commerce administers LIHEAP and allocates funding to a network of local providers. Funds are not given directly to residents. Find your local provider.
What you should know about LIHEAP:
Depending on the funds available in your county, you may be able to apply for assistance up to three times a year, but not every month.
LIHEAP may help pay your natural gas or propane bill only in the winter, if you use gas or propane as your primary source to heat your home. If gas or propane is used only for purposes other than heating, such as hot water or cooking, the program cannot pay the bill.
The program cannot pay for water, sewer or telephone services.
Your local LIHEAP provider makes the payments directly to your utility company on your behalf.
Who is eligible for LIHEAP help?
You may be eligible if you meet the following requirements:
Have a total income no more than 60% of the Florida State Median Income. Income eligibility ranges from a maximum annual income of $27,735 for a family of one to $73,605 for a family of eight.
Be responsible for paying your home heating or cooling bills.
Be a resident of Florida.
Be a U.S. citizen, qualified alien or permanent resident of the U.S.
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Emergency Home Energy Assistance for the Elderly Program helps with utility bills, repairs
The Emergency Home Energy Assistance for the Elderly Program, known as EHEAP, is a 100% federally funded home energy assistance program for elders. Eligible seniors may receive up to $5,000 of assistance.
Eligible households may receive multiple crisis benefits per program year. Payments are made directly to the vendor or by a two-party check to the vendor and client for electricity, natural gas, propane, fuel oil, kerosene or wood. List of providers by area.
What you should know about EHEAP:
Utility categories eligible for heating and cooling bill assistance include electricity, natural gas, propane, wood, coal, and refillable fuels.
Benefits may be used for:
Pre-paying energy bills.
Purchasing blankets, portable fans, space heaters, and window air conditioners.
Repairing an existing heating/cooling unit.
Charges from a now-closed account previously held by the elder resident.
Deposits to connect or restore utilities.
Late, disconnect, and reconnect fees.
Utility costs that are included in rent.
Temporary shelter due to an energy-related emergency
Who is eligible for EHEAP help?
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To be eligible for assistance, households must have:
A documented heating or cooling emergency.
At least one individual age 60 or older in the home.
A household’s total gross income with one to eight individuals' incomes are calculated correctly and are at or below 60 percent of the state median income.
Contact your local Aging and Disability Resource Center or call the Elder Helpline at 1-800-96-ELDER (1-800-963-5337) for more information on additional eligibility requirements.
What are the peak hours of electrical use?
In the summer season the typical peak hours of usage occur between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m., with air conditioners making up approximately 30% to 35% of a customer’s monthly energy bill, according to Duke Energy.
FPL said peak electric usage hours are noon to 9 p.m., with air conditioning making up 50% to 60% of energy bills this time of year.
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What other options are available from Duke Electric if a customer is unable to pay their bill?
Duke Energy will work with customers when payment challenges arise, Stasko said.
Voluntary programs are available for customers which offer reduced rates, while allowing the company to either interrupt service or a portion of service to their home or business.
The company provides numerous flexible billing and payment and energy savings programs, and refers customers to agency assistance funds.
"We encourage customers to reach out to us if they need assistance and continue to connect them to available programs, as well as offer tools and plans to help customers manage their electric bills," Stasko said.
Some programs available from Duke include:
Usage Alerts: Get midcycle billing alerts of current usage and your estimated final bill so you can adjust to help stay within budget.
Budget Billing: Plan ahead with predictable monthly bills.
Explore new ways to help you reduce energy costs including reduced fees and flexible rates.
Find ways to reduce your home’s energy use, learn how to lower your bill and see if you qualify for rebates and free energy-saving products
EnergyWise at Home: Save on your electric bill by getting up to $141 in annual bill credits while helping your community reduce energy use during periods of high demand. Find out if you are eligible.
Customer Assistance: Some customers may qualify for financial assistance from various government and nonprofit programs for utility bills and other household expenses.
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How does FPL help customers struggling to pay their electric bills?
Advocacy partners assist FPL in securing federal funding to help low-income customers receive financial assistance with their electric bills, according to FPL's website.
FPL Care To Share® Electric Assistance: FPL employees, shareholders and customers all contribute to help customers in crisis keep their lights on when they need it most. Your household may be eligible to receive up to $750 during a 12-month period to help pay a bill.
The need for assistance far exceeds the funding available, so many households may not receive assistance. Households with seniors, children under 10 or those with disabled persons may be given priority consideration. Funding from the Care To Share program is administered by local nonprofit and government agency partners.
There are several eligibility requirements, including:
Possess a delinquent FPL bill, final notice or disconnect notice.
Be in imminent danger of being disconnected or are already disconnected.
Have a plan to pay future bills.
Show proof of a personal or family crisis.
FPL Care To Share® Electrical Repairs: Some customers are eligible to receive up to $2,000 of financial assistance to perform electrical work at their homes through the FPL Care To Share program. Covered repairs include electrical repairs to damaged meter cans and weather heads, and excludes repairs to electric panels or home interior equipment/electric repairs. Know what you own and what FPL owns.
Eligible customers can apply for help by calling the Salvation Army office in their county. To qualify, an applicant’s annual household income must not exceed $24,072 for a single adult, $70,128 for a family or $26,700 for a senior 60 years or older.
Other things customers facing having their service cut off can do include:
Request a payment extension: FPL's online payment extension offers qualifying customers the chance to temporarily extend the due date of their bills. Learn more.
FEMA Emergency Food Shelter: The Federal Emergency Management Agency Emergency Food and Shelter Program occasionally provides non-disaster-related living assistance. When funding is available, it can be used to provide assistance in several areas, including:
One month's utility bill.
One month's rent or mortgage payment.
Lodging in a mass shelter or hotel.
Food, in the form of served meals or groceries.
For the full list of agency names and phone numbers in your area:
Go to the FEMA Emergency Food and Shelter Program website
Look for "Funded Organizations"
Select your state and county
In addition to those programs, FPL also partners with local assistance agencies who may be able to help customers.
Suggestions from power companies to beat the heat and keep bills as low as possible
Compiled from Duke Energy, Florida Power & Light and Gulf Power:
Change air filters regularly.
Set your thermostat at the highest comfortable setting. For each degree the thermostat is raised customers can save 3% to 5% on cooling costs.
When no one is home, set the temperature to 82 degrees.
Close blinds, drapes and curtains during the hottest part of the day.
Use a ceiling fan in occupied rooms to supplement your air conditioning. Make sure they're running in a counterclockwise direction to push cool air down.
Grill outdoors instead of cooking inside.
Turn off unnecessary lights.
Have a smart meter? Use it to track daily usage and peak usage times.
Don't have a smart meter? See if your utility offers high bill alerts.
Reduce the temperature setting on your water heater from 140 to 120 degrees.
Use the cold water setting when doing laundry.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Can't pay electric bill? Low-income, elderly energy programs available
