Residents in Arizona struggling with household energy costs now have a local resource.
Kelly McGowan, executive director of anti-poverty nonprofit Wildfire, said a new utility assistance program provides more opportunities for households to be eligible.
Wildfire is a statewide non-profit founded in 1976 which works with dozens of direct services organizations to provide ground support.
“Wildfire works to deliver programs and impactful policy changes we can make based on what households are experiencing,” said McGowan.
The organization intervenes on all Arizona Corporation Commission cases on behalf of lower income households and works with the federal government on programs related to energy assistance. This includes partnering or managing directly with utility programs.
McGowan said the Household Pulse Survey looks at the last 12 months related to energy affordability.
“We cite 36% of houses in Arizona reduced or forewent basic household necessities, medicine or food, to pay an energy bill,” she said.
The survey also showed 27% of individuals said their home felt unsafe or unhealthy in order to manage the bill, while 21% were unable to pay the bill in full or part given the other expenses.
McGowan said an underutilized resource Gov. Katie Hobbs made available is the Power AZ program.
“This includes $15 million into the program for energy affordability, and it has a higher threshold income,” said McGowan.
She said the program is targeting those who cannot reach the income level, but struggle with the cost due to the economy.
McGowan said the resources can be found at wildfireaz.org/find-help/community-action-agencies/.
The utility companies offer a bill discount program that has an application online.
“We try to encourage residents about the safety net programs utility companies have in place and if you know someone is vulnerable you can sign up to be their safety net, get alerts about outages or bills significantly behind,” said McGowan.
According to a news release from APS, a new safety net program is in place including an investment of an additional $3.4 million to accelerate planned improvements.
It stated, “Under the enhanced program, these designated emergency contacts will be better positioned to assist customers who may be struggling before their service is shut off, with added notifications over text and email. APS is also taking action to encourage registration in the program by introducing new requests to enroll at the start or transfer of service and when customers register for online account access, in addition to an annual pop-up screen upon sign-in to remind customers of the program.”
The company is also investing in customer assistance, by allocating $1 million for an Arizona Consumer Assistance and Education Program, created in partnership with the Arizona Attorney General’s Office. The program will provide financial assistance to eligible limited income customers enrolled in APS Energy Support who are at risk of disconnection.
Julie Ash, community outreach representative at Banner Olive Branch Senior Center helps people at the center with the Low Income Housing Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). She said if individuals qualify, the program applies the credit to the APS bill, for example and the company will spend down the money that is credited to the account, according to Ash.
“This program has been a God-send for people. If their income for one person is $2,807 a month, then Maricopa County will administer the funds through the Department of Economic Security,” said Ash.
She said this process can be tedious and the challenge in many clients do not have computers or do not understand the two-step verification process.
Ash assists with the paper applications and can fax it directly from the center.
Individuals can also go to the Surprise Resource Center, 12425 W. Bell Road, to get similar help.
Reporter Jennifer Jimenez can be reached at jjimenez@iniusa.org. Please submit comments at yourvalley.net/letters or email them to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.
In 2020, Jennifer Jimenez began working for Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA. She began her career as a sports reporter in Peoria and Glendale, covering the very same schools she used to compete at. During this time, she also worked for television news, magazines and sports radio stations.
Community: Jennifer is a member of the Hall of Fame at Peoria High School where she graduated in 2001, alongside her father Joe Hernandez. She serves youth soccer players as a pro-trainer and coach.
Education: Grand Canyon University 2005 B.A. Liberal Arts
Ranom Fact: She has a street named after her in south Peoria “Jennifer Rose Court.”
Hobbies: Country dancing, coaching soccer, teaching private swim lessons and running are things she does for fun.
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