Utility Assistance Help Available

ROANOKE, Va., Feb. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- With January's unusually low temperatures, many electric utility customers in Virginia are facing higher-than-expected heating bills.  The Neighbor to Neighbor Program, a program administered by Dollar Energy Fund, Inc. in partnership with Appalachian Power, is working hard to help low-income Appalachian Power customers living in Virginia and Tennessee by providing utility assistance via a network of community-based organizations.

Since the program opened on November 2, 2009, over 1,000 Appalachian Power customers have received approximately $250,000 in utility assistance to keep their heat on or have their service restored.

"In years past, we only had a little bit of money each month to help our client's with their electric bills," said Stephanie Schoefield, an intake worker at Southside Community Action in Martinsville, VA.  "Now that we are working with the Neighbor to Neighbor Program, we have already been able to help all 86 families (258 persons) who needed help with their Appalachian Power bill.  It is amazing when a client is eligible and their application is submitted—you can just see the look of relief spread across their face!"

"Thanks to individual contributions and our partnership with Appalachian Power, Dollar Energy Fund is able to provide help to eligible utility customers who have been making regular payments but still need some extra help paying their heating bills," said Danielle Snidow, Director of the Neighbor to Neighbor Program.  "With this winter's cold temperatures forcing households to increase their utility usage, there has likewise been an increase in customers seeking utility assistance, many of whom are doing so for the first time."

For Neighbor to Neighbor Program client Karen of Galax, Va., an assistance grant was the source of necessary support during a time of hardship.  When her husband was facing medical problems, Karen got behind on the bills. Even though she tried to make electric payments, she could not afford the full amount. The Neighbor to Neighbor Program was able to pay the amount owed to avoid termination and Karen's family was able to keep the heat on.  

Those who need help with their Appalachian Power bill should visit www.appalachianpower.com  or call 1-800-956-4237 to see if they qualify for either the Neighbor to Neighbor Program or one of the Appalachian Power payment assistance programs which help make paying the electric bill more manageable.

Customers wishing to help out their neighbors in need can either donate via their utility bill or online at www.DollarEnergyFund.org .

About Dollar Energy Fund, Inc.

Dollar Energy Fund was founded in 1983 and has grown to become one of the largest hardship funds in the United States. Dollar Energy Fund is a 501 (c) 3 organization.  The organization has provided over $60 million in utility assistance grants to more than 250,000 low-income families and individuals in Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia and Tennessee.  Individuals interested in contributing to Dollar Energy Fund can do so through their utility bills or through the organization's website, www.dollarenergyfund.org.

SOURCE Dollar Energy Fund, Inc.