utility assistance

[Candy Cor]

Hi,
My 75 year old mother who lives in Travis County (Austin, Texas) is in serious danger of having her electricity shut off. She was on a payment plan with Austin Energy but mistakenly missed one of the payment dates this past August 12; she has several medical issues in addition to having recently taken in my disabled cousin (Chrones disease). She owes an enormous past due balance of 2K+ which she was trying desperately to pay off in installments she can afford the installments, she just missed the one due date and now they will not work with her and had said initially this contract was her "last chance" before they had the meter removed. She is terrified her electricity is going to be cut off and in Austin Texas 95 degrees plus weather this is unacceptable for the city of Austin to treat its elderly!
She received a letter since her missed payment from July that the total balance is due and must be paid by the 24 August or termination will ensue. I can make the past due payment of 195.00 for her but not the entire balance, I am barely surviving myself. Is there anyone who can help reinstate the payment contract with Austin Energy? To continue with the payment plan? The last time I spoke with them the supervisor was extremely condescending and talked down to both my mother and I. We're in a bad spot right now and just trying to get out of it and actually pay them off. I don't feel that 1 missed payment due to the oversight of an elder person who forgot the due date because her mind is not as sharp as it once was!

[Admin - Jon McNamara]

So if power was shut off last month are you still paying rent or mortgage on that residence?
Who is utility provider in Ohio? Numerous financial resources and assistance programs are referenced here. There are services like the PIPP Plus assistance program in Ohio. Can offer credits for older energy bills. Dial 1-800-282-0880. Other companies like American Electric Power offer resources like the The Crisis Response Fund. Phone 1-800-282-0880. Anyway more programs are found here

Also continue to call local agencies like your community action agency, etc.

I am in desperate need for help with my utilities getting turned back on they were shut off on April 24. My family and I have been bouncing from one relatives house to the next trying not to wear out our welcome. My husband lost his job about three months ago and has been out on the streets everyday putting in applications but we have received no return phone calls. I work 32 hours per week and go to college full time I have been trying really hard to put money towards the deliquent bill I am just seeming to make no progress. I am Just trying to keep my head above water just to pay everything else not including the electric. I have exhausted my 401k which paid half the bill. I still owe $1300.00. I have contacted community action in our county they are doing no assistance until July 1 and Job and family services in my area only helps every three years which they told me they could not help till September with no luck I asked both Job and family and community action for a possible refferal to another location that could help. Is there anybody else out there that can help me with my electric phone numbers would be great I have not seem to come up with nothing. I live in galion,ohio crawford county. Also, I will mention our utilities are owned by the city they do no budget plans like pipp or anything like that believe me I have asked . thanks natalie davis

[natalie79]

I am in desperate need for help with my utilities getting turned back on they were shut off on April 24. My family and I have been bouncing from one relatives house to the next trying not to wear out our welcome. My husband lost his job about three months ago and has been out on the streets everyday putting in applications but we have received no return phone calls. I work 32 hours per week and go to college full time I have been trying really hard to put money towards the deliquent bill I am just seeming to make no progress. I am Just trying to keep my head above water just to pay everything else not including the electric. I have exhausted my 401k which paid half the bill. I still owe $1300.00. I have contacted community action in our county they are doing no assistance until July 1 and Job and family services in my area only helps every three years which they told me they could not help till September with no luck I asked both Job and family and community action for a possible refferal to another location that could help. Is there anybody else out there that can help me with my electric phone numbers would be great I have not seem to come up with nothing. I live in galion,ohio crawford county. Also, I will mention our utilities are owned by the city they do no budget plans like pipp or anything like that believe me I have asked . thanks natalie davis