Pioneer Electric utility bill assistance programs.
Eligible lower income customers of Pioneer Electric have a few assistance programs available to them when it comes to paying their utility bills. Some of the resources available include We Care, LIHEAP, Roundup, and more. The best place to call for information on assistance is the local community action agency that serves southwestern Kansas, and the phone number is (913) 342-2121. Each of these has their own application process and offers its own type of assistance to the needy.
The We Care program has been operating since the late 1990s. It was created to help low income customers of the utility company and it is funded by donations from employees and others. This is also one way that Pioneer Electric gives back to the community.
When families are truly struggling, the We Care program may be able to help customers when they need it the most. Employees of Pioneer Electric and the trustees that sign up to participate in the program make a donation from each of their paychecks to the fund. All donations and contributions are donated to those who need help or who are faced with some type of emergency or crisis situation.
While applicants need to meet conditions of the program, in general the money is distributed to low income and working poor Pioneer Electric members who have been impacted by an unexpected illness, accident, death in the family, or other unforeseen event or emergency. The issue can't be caused by the applicant, and needs to be have been beyond their control. Any money provided by We Care may be used at the family's discretion on different types of bills. In some cases the money paid out does not even need to be used for an electrical bill payment.
Your application will need to be approved by a committee, and they review applications only one time per month. In addition to paying out cash grants, the We Care program also sponsors other activities to benefit members who are faced with an emergency.
Another important factor of the program is the community involvement that is possible. Employees, customers, local businesses and even management from Pioneer Electric can all decide to contribute funds to help families in need in the Kansas communities they serve. To learn more or to begin the application process, call the community action agency.
In addition to donations, the company and foundation is always looking for new ways to give back to the community. If you think you have a great idea or worthy cause about how the company can help give back to the greater Kansas area, then call or email them to submit your idea.
The second main program is Pioneer Electric and the Area Roundup program, or PEAR. Cash grants and funds may be available to customers based on their financial need. In order to apply for Roundup, individuals need to mail in an application that will be reviewed by the the PEAR board.
This program is also paid for by donations. People can contribute by “rounding up” the amount of their monthly payment to the next dollar amount. Those extra funds are combined with other donations and then are paid out to qualified individuals.
In addition to those services, very low income families can also apply for government aid such as LIHEAP and weatherization. These programs will provide customers either cash grants or credits on their Pioneer Electric accounts. The majority of these funds are available during the cold Kansas winter months.
For information on government grants and other suggestions on paying Pioneer Electric bills, call the community action agency at (913) 342-2121.
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