Utility and energy bill assistance in Elkhart Indiana.
During the summer and winter, the demand for utility bill assistance in Elkhart Indiana tends to increase. The primary reason is that many families increase their energy usage during those seasons to either cool their home during the summer or heat it during the cold Indiana winters. There are programs and organizations in Elkhart County that help pay utility bills. Many of the programs provide more financial help during the winter or summer months. The additional resources are correlated with the spikes in usage during those timeframes. There is also a focus on helping vulnerable people pay their bills, such as senior citizens and the disabled.
Places to call for utility help in Elkhart
Three of the leading non-profit organizations are the
Salvation Army
(location is 300 North Main Street, phone (574) 970-0088),
The Community Church Services
(address 907 Oakland Avenue, call (574) 295-3673) and also your local Township Trustee. All of these organizations work together to help low income and unemployed residents pay their bills. However these agencies all have limited finances and resources at their disposal. When they can’t help someone, each agency will offer some form of other support - even just a referral.
Community Church Services of Elkhart County
will distribute funds from time to time. There have been instances in which they have provided cash or other forms of emergency assistance low-income families that are facing a shut off. If they do not have money, they will try to refer individuals to other local resources or government programs. Note that CCS partners with the Trustee and the Salvation Army. Anyone who seeks help from Community Church Services needs to go there first before they approach CCS. Only after an applicant has sought help from the Elkhart Township Trustee and the Salvation Army, only at that time can they call upon CCS for emergency utility assistance. Also keep in mind that if the client has already received any form of financial help in the past, they are not eligible for more help in the near future. Other non-profit organizations to try include
The United Way
and
Real Services
(location is 1151 South Michigan Street phone (574) 233-8205) in both South Bend and Elkhart Indiana. Both will try to offer utility and heating assistance for eligible individuals. During the winter, the
EAP Energy Assistance Program
(the state's version of LIHEAP) is an option. Real Services at 574) 233-8205 process applications. This will focus on very low-income families / those that live in poverty in Elkhart Indiana. Priority applications for winter utility bill help is for senior citizens. Find more details on help from Real Services in Elkhart Indiana . As with the programs referenced above, any client needs to meet income requirements, and the agencies need to have funding available. The United Way will also recommend that anyone who needs help should call 2-1-1 to find out whether they qualify for emergency financial assistance.