Arizona

FY 2009 Low-Income Energy Programs
Federal | Utility | Charitable

Federal

LIHEAP Contacts
Public Inquiries: 1-800-582-5706
Website: www.azdes.gov/csa/programs/uap/default.asp

LIHEAP Administering Agency Contacts
www.azcaa.org/azcaa-communityAgencies.html

LIHEAP FY 2009 Funding
$29,047,021 - regular block grant
$2,036,650 - emergency contingency funds

LIHEAP Income Eligibility Level
200% Federal Poverty Level

LIHEAP FY 2008 Benefit
Heating and Cooling: $25 min, $400 max

LIHEAP FY2008 Households Served
Heating and cooling: 22,488

LIHEAP Program Dates
Year round

Utility

Low-Income Rate Assistance

Arizona Public Service

Energy Support Program
Offers a discount up to 40 percent off the cost of electricity for customers who meet certain income guidelines. The income guidelines are based on 150% of the federal poverty guidelines and change every July 1st. The discount varies depending on how much electricity is used each month. Application forms are available online or can be picked up at all APS business offices.
www.aps.com/main/services/residential/assistance/assist_2.html
Medical Care Equipment Program
Offers a discount up to 40 percent off the cost of electricity for customers who meet certain income guidelines. The income guidelines are based on 150% of the federal poverty guidelines and change every July 1st. The discount varies depending on how much electricity is used each month. Application forms are available online or can be picked up at all APS business offices. Applicants must also provide a letter from a doctor showing a need of life sustaining medical equipment . Contact the Medical Care Equipment Program Coordinator by e-mail or by phone at (602) 371-6884/ toll-free (800) 253-9408 to obtain a Physician Verification form and additional information.
www.aps.com/main/services/residential/assistance/assist_2.html

Unisource Energy Services
C.A.R.E.S.
Customers whose income does not exceed 150% of the federal poverty level may be eligible for a deduction of up to $8 off their monthly electric bills and up to $15 off their natural gas bills, depending upon usage. CARES rates also apply to the Low-Income Medical Life Support Program for customers who are medically life-support dependent and who meet specific eligibility requirements.
Contacts: http://uesaz.com/Community/AssistancePrograms/Outreach.asp
http://uesaz.com/Community/AssistancePrograms/CARES.asp

Salt River Project

Economy Price Plan
Customers with limited incomes can receive $14 off SRP charges each month through the Economy Price Plan. To receive an application or for more information, call SRP at 602-236-8888 in Phoenix, or from outside the 602, 623 or 480 area codes, call toll-free number at 800-258-4777.
www.srpnet.com/prices/economy.aspx
Medical Life Support Discount
Qualifying medical patients or their family member can receive an $9 monthly discount on their SRP bill while using life-sustaining equipment.
Call 602-236-8888 or 1-800-258-4777 if outside Maricopa County
www.srpnet.com/prices/medical.aspx

Southwest Gas
Low Income Ratepayer Assistance (LIRA)
For customers whose household income does not exceed 150% of the federal poverty level, a 20% rate discount is applicable to the first 150 therms per month during the winter season (November through April.)
Central Arizona: 602-861-1999
Southern Arizona: 520-889-1888
www.swgas.com/assistance/az/index.php

Tucson Electric Power Company
520-623-7711
www.tucsonelectric.com/Home/Programs/lifeline.asp

Residential Lifeline Discount Program
Customers whose household income is at or below 150% of the federal poverty level, may qualify for an $8 discount off their bill each month.
Lifeline/Medical Life-Support Discount
A discount is available to households that meet the financial eligibility guidelines for the Residential Lifeline Program and where certain medical situations exist. The discount is based on monthly use: 0 - 1,000 kWhs, 35%; 1001 - 2000 kWhs, 30%; over 2000 kWhs, 10%.

Navaho Tribal Utility Authority
Senior Citizen Discount
Life Support Discount
NTUA offers a 7% discount to customers who are 60 years or older and have an annual household income of $ 16,000 or less. A 7% discount is available to customers who require utility services to be maintained for a life-threatening health condition that is certified by a licensed physician.
www.ntua.com/

Low-Income Energy Efficiency

Arizona Public Service
Energy-Wise
Energy-Wise provides weatherization improvements or repairs to the home and energy education. Household income must be at or below 150% of the federal poverty level.
Contact your local Community Action Agency office.
www.aps.com/main/services/residential/assistance/assist_3.html

Tucson Electric Power
Since 1982 the Tucson Urban League and Pima County have been assisting low-income residents in reducing energy use and lowering their utility bills by implementing year-round weatherization measures - at no cost to eligible customers. TEP conducts energy audits and provides funding for weatherization measures.
Pima County: contact Jesus O. Duran, 740-4076
Tucson Urban League: contact Adeline McKenna, 791-9522
www.tucsonelectric.com/Home/Programs/weatherization.asp

Southwest Gas
Low-Income Energy Conservation Program
Energy-saving measures are available to income-qualified customers, at no cost.
Examples of energy-saving measures are caulking, insulation, weather-stripping, ductwork repairs and windows.
Contacts and web site.

Emergency Charitable Assistance

Please note these charitable funds are last resort emergency funds with limited resources and limited times of operation.

Home Energy Assistance Fund
Provides funds for low-income families experiencing extreme financial hardship to help pay overdue utility bills and prevent potential electric or gas shutoffs. Administered by the Arizona Community Action Association (ACAA) through Community Action Program (CAP) offices in every county. May provide eligible individuals annual one-time financial assistance of up to $500 to restore utilities to avoid disconnections. Individuals may only apply once in a 12-month period for funding. Contact your local CAP office or call 602-604-0640 for more information.

Arizona Public Service
Project S.H.A.R.E. (Service to Help Arizonans with Relief on Energy)
Project S.H.A.R.E may be able to help pay energy (gas, electric, oil, wood) bills for seniors over 60, living on a fixed income and facing a financial emergency or for customers under age 60 and experiencing special hardships or for disabled with no source of income. Contact your local Salvation Army.
www.aps.com/main/services/residential/assistance/assist_7.html

Southwest Gas Corporation
Energy Share
Energy Share is an emergency fund that provides direct assistance to qualified people with unexpected financial difficulties, such as the loss of a job or a medical emergency. All Energy Share donations are managed and distributed by The Salvation Army. www.swgas.com/residential/specialprograms/share.php

Tucson Electric Power Company
520-623-7711

Help with Emergency Energy Relief Operation (H.E.E.R.O.)
H.E.E.R.O. provides one-time payments on energy bills for low-income customers. Customer donations fund the program, which is administered by the Salvation Army.
www.tucsonelectric.com/Customersvc/PaymentOptions/heero.asp
Low-Income Fund for Emergencies (LIFE) Fund
In 1996, Tucson Electric Power Company set aside $4.5 million in shareholder funds for the Low-Income Fund for Emergencies (LIFE) Fund. The interest generated from the fund – about $250,000 per year – has been used to offset cuts in LIHEAP. The fund is administered by the Salvation Army.

Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative, Inc.
Operation Roundup
Customer donations help families cope with emergencies, illnesses and special medical needs and aid community and emergency service providers. An application is available on the website.
www.ssvec.org/programs/roundup.php

Trico Electric Cooperative
Operation Roundup
Customer donations help Trico members in emergency situations and worthy organizations in the community. Requests for assistance are evaluated by the Trico Charitable Trust Board.
744-2944
www.trico.org/operation_roundup.html

Page Last Updated: December 11, 2008