CENTRAL OHIO -- American Electric Power launched a new utility assistance program Tuesday morning.
"Bills are a little high right now, and I'm trying to keep the electric down," said Tim Wright.
Wright is a father of four who lives on the city's East Side.
Two entities came together to assist people who live in low-income neighborhoods.
AEP and the Dollar Energy Fund announced their Neighbor To Neighbor program.
The program aims to help low-income families keep the lights on and the air conditioning working.
“Today’s economy combined with the cold winter will force many of our neighbors to face large utility balances this spring,” said Chad Quinn, COO of Dollar Energy Fund. “AEP Ohio’s generous donation to the Neighbor to Neighbor Program will help thousands of low-income families keep safe electric service."
The program also encourages donations from those who can afford to give.
"Well, basically, with current programs customers that can give -- can't. There's no option for them to donate to an energy assistance program, which makes this unique. Now, starting on the June bills, they can have a check mark, mark off, say I want to give a dollar, I want to give two dollars. And for every dollar they give, it's matched by us 100 percent," said AEP spokesperson Terri Flora.
AEP Ohio will provide $1 million in utility assistance through the program to help its low-income customers.
Here's the eligibility breakdown:
- Be an AEP customer.
- Be at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty income guidelines. A family of four earning up to $44,100 per year is income eligible for the program.
- To qualify, households must have made a sincere effort of payment on their electric bill in the last 90 days and have a back balance of at least $100 on your AEP bill.
Full eligibility guidelines and application instructions can be found at http://www.dollarenergyfund.org.
Help Dollar Energy Fund maximize AEP Ohio’s donation and help nearly 10,000 of your neighbors.
AEP Ohio will match every dollar donated to the Neighbor to Neighbor Program. This initiative will double the impact of your tax-deductible gift.
Give to the Neighbor to Neighbor Program by donating through your AEP Ohio bill or online at http://www.dollarenergyfund.org.
All donations to the Neighbor to Neighbor Program will assist low-income families residing in Ohio.
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