Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Clearinghouse acf home privacy policy
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Tennessee

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

Federal

LIHEAP Contact
Public Inquiries: 615-313-4766
Website: www.state.tn.us/humanserv/adfam/afs_hea.htm

LIHEAP Administering Agency Contacts
www.tncommunityaction.org/memberagencies.html

LIHEAP FY 2009 Funding
$73,722,827 - regular block grant
$6,788,716 - emergency contingency funds

LIHEAP Income Eligibility Level
125% Federal Poverty Level

LIHEAP FY 2009 Benefit
Heating and Cooling: $300 minimum, $600 maximum

LIHEAP Households Served (Estimate for FY 2007 Heating)
74,287

LIHEAP Program Dates
Year-round

Utility

Low-Income Rate Assistance

Memphis Light Gas and Water
On Track
A payment program designed to help customers with limited incomes to manage debt and pay off their bills over a period of time. The program focuses on education, financial management and social services. To qualify for the program customers must have a steady, but limited, income and owe more than $600 to MLGW. Participants may receive Extended Payment Plans for up to three years; minor home repairs for homeowners; and deposit credited back to the account after completion of program. Applications and more information are available on the website.
www.mlgw.com/SubView.php?key=res_ontrack

Low-Income Energy Efficiency

Memphis Light Gas and Water
EnergySmart Memphis
A year-long energy education and home improvement initiative designed to help Memphians save money on their energy costs. Customers will receive in-depth energy conservation training and eligible customers will have weatherization improvements made to their home. As part of the initiative, MLGW also has set aside funds to weatherize of customers who meet federal poverty guidelines.     
528-4444
www.mlgw.com


Emergency Charitable Assistance

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

Appalachian Power
Neighbor-to-Neighbor Program
The eligibility of recipients is determined and funds are distributed by the Upper East Tennessee Human Development Agency.
423-246-6180
www.appalachianpower.com/communities/NeighborFund/default.asp

Athens Utility Board
Warm Neighbors Program
Working with Coordinated Charities of McMinn County, AUB provides a way to help those in need to maintain their service without interruption.
423-745-4501
www.aub.org/cs_warm.php

Atmos Energy
Sharing the Warmth
Customer donations combine with company donations to help people pay their gas bills. All donations go directly to local people in need that meet criteria established by each individual program's guidelines. To contact the energy assistance agency in your area visit www.atmosenergy.com/faq/eaa.html

Cumberland Electric Member Corporation
Project Help
A voluntary program that allows members to pay an additional amount on their electric bill each month to help pay utility bills of those who really need the assistance.
Contact a local office
www.cemc.org/general/project_help.asp

Duck River Electric Member Corporation
Project HELP
Customer donations will help defray the cost of energy for elderly and handicapped members. Contact a local DREMC office.
www.dremc.com/member_services.htm

Holston Electric Cooperative
Project Help
Member donations help those less fortunate to stay warm in the winter. The elderly, handicapped and those in economic crisis can apply for assistance once a year. For more information or to apply for assistance Hawkins County residents can call the Neighborhood Service Center at 272-2830; Hamblen County residents can call Central Services at 586-9431.
www.holstonelectric.com/faq.aspx

Jackson Energy Authority
Project Help
Area Relief Ministries distributes funds from Project Help to people in need all year long. Most often, those helped are the disabled, elderly or families without any household income.
731-422-7500 or email: jax@jaxenergy.com
www.jaxenergy.com/community/project_help.php

Knoxville Utilities Board
Project Help
Project Help is an emergency heating-assistance program that buys electricity, natural gas, kerosene, heating oil, and wood for people who need temporary help with their heating bills, such as elderly or disabled people on fixed incomes, struggling single parents, and families who have lost their incomes through unemployment or illness. All Project Help funds come from donations and fundraisers and are administered by the Knoxville Community Action Committee.
865-524-2911; TDD 865-594-7494

Memphis Light Gas and Water
Plus-1
A program administered by the Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association (MIFA) to pay utility services for people in need. MLGW customers fund the program through one-time donations or by adding a dollar or more to their utility bill each month.
901-527-0208
www.mlgw.com/SubView.php?key=res_plus1

Meriwether Lewis Electric Cooperative
Project Help
This voluntary program allows members to contribute each month to help those in temporary financial difficulty pay their winter energy bills. Money is distributed each year through community action agencies in each county.
Contact
www.mlec.com/services.htm#project

Middle Tennessee Electric Membership Corporation
Project Help
Member donations help defray emergency energy costs for elderly and disabled members as well as those who are not economically self-sufficient. The following agencies determine eligibility for receiving assistance:
Williamson County, Graceworks, 615-794-9055
Rutherford County, The Community Helpers, 615-898-0617
Wilson County Community Help Center, 615-449-1856
Cannon County Senior Citizens Center, 615-563-5304
Contact
www.mtemc.com/pages.cfm/name/c04_projecthelp

Mountain Electric Cooperative
Operation Pocket Change
Customer donations provide funds for qualified community projects, programs, and people in genuine needy situations. An independent board accepts applications from groups, non-profit organizations, and individuals.
423-727-1800
www.mountainelectric.com/info/pocketchange.html

Morristown Utility Systems
Project Help
Customer donations provide funds for those who need help paying their utility bill. The fund is allocated through the Morristown-Hamblen Central Services.
423-586-9431
www.morristownutilities.org/project_help.html

Nashville Electric Service
Project HELP
Funded by customer contributions from NES and Nashville Gas and administered by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee. Donations help the elderly, disabled and low income with their energy costs.
615-279-0409
www.nespower.com/energy_assistance.aspx

Newport Utilities
Project Help
Customer contribution provide funds to help certain needy customers, such as the elderly, handicapped or others, pay their utility bill in case of extreme emergency. An eligibility committee made up of Central Charities Staff or Board will identify those in need. Applications are available only through the Neighborhood Center or e-mail Newport Utilities at info@newportutilities.com
www.newportutilities.com/services.htm

Sequachee Valley Electric Cooperative
SVECares
Customer donations that provide financial help to worthy causes for community organizations and individuals. Print an application or email for an application.
Contact
www.svalleyec.com/svecares.htm

Southwest Tennessee Electric Membership Corporation
Project Help
Member donations go to local agencies that provide people with financial assistance during emergencies. For more information call your local office or 1-800-772-0472.

Trenton Light & Water
Plus One Program
Cusotmer donations, with no administrative expenses, will go toward helping the elderly, handicapped, and needy meet their energy costs. Trenton Light & Water matches all donations dollar for dollar.
731-855-1561
www.trentonlw.com/services/misc.html

Upper Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation
Project Help
Member donations help defray emergency energy costs for elderly and disabled members as well as those who are not economically self-sufficient. The money collected is sent to an independent agency to determine who should receive their special funds.
615-735-2940
www.ucemc.com/services.htm#residential


Page Last Updated: October 22, 2008