That is great you are trying to help your sister there and look here for financial assistance programs in St. Louis MO.
Also, maybe there are timelines around the unpaid utility debt, so try legal aid in St. Louis - look here for a free legal aid lawyer in eastern MO.
Coleman wrote: ↑Thu Nov 06, 2025 1:50 pm Hello,
I am writing on behalf of my younger sister, Sherry, who lives in St. Louis, Missouri. Sherry is 59 years old, with terrible arthritic hands, and in dire need of dental care. She lost her husband approximately 15 years ago. He was sick for a very long time; hooked up to medical equipment for many years, and he left her with a huge amount of bills. I am Sherry's only living relative. Unfortunately, I live in California, but I often help Sherry, either financially, or in other ways, when she feels overwhelmed, with problems in her life.
For the past 10 years, Sherry has maintained a job with Goodwill Industries, working in various positions. Sherry is a hard worker, but her job is physically demanding for her, and doesn't pay that well, but enough, so she can support herself. Sadness and pain have been an integral part of Sherry's life. She has had to move around a lot, always living with other people, and spending most of her money, paying off her husband's medical bills. A few years ago, Sherry lost her only daughter to a drug overdose, and then, her grandson died in the same way.
Through all of Sherry's tribulations, she has struggled to save enough money, so she can get a place of her own. Finally, Sherry found a small apartment and can move in on January 01, 2026. Unfortunately, when Sherry called Ameren to set up new service for her apartment, she was informed, there is an outstanding balance in the amount of $989.62 in her name. Sherry had no idea and was rather shocked.
This amount is past due, going back 15 years ago. As I stated above, that is when Sherry lost her husband, and his lengthy illness was a cause of this excessive amount. Also, there was a woman living with Sherry and her husband, and after his death, Sherry moved out. The woman, Linda Otts, stayed on at the apartment, and agreed, she would put the electricity in her name.
When I called Ameren yesterday, hoping to get them to waive this 15-year-old debt, or at least reduce the amount to something reasonable, I was met with nothing but resistance. I was transferred several times, speaking with 4 different female employees, and all of them were relentless. None of them were willing to even reduce the amount, though I explained these circumstances to each of them.
One lady agreed, though, to turn the electricity on for Sherry, so that Sherry can move into the new apartment. But, Ameren plans to add the outstanding debt to her bill each month, and expects her to make payments, until the balance is paid in full. Saving the sum of money needed for the move-in costs was difficult enough for Sherry, but the burden of this debt hangs heavily on her.