Cool Down St. Louis program and summer electric bill assistance.
St. Louis residents can receive help during the summer. Cool Down St. Louis helps low-income households keep the power on and stay safe in dangerous heat, with a focus on paying Ameren Missouri electric bills and, when supplies allow, free window air conditioners for the most vulnerable residents across the bi-state St. Louis area (including Metro East, IL). Find details on Cool Down St. Louis and contact information below.
The nonprofit coordinates with more than three dozen social-service partners and local governments to move aid quickly during heat waves. Missouri families who can’t pay their electric bills can turn to the non-profit Cool Down St. Louis. This organization is an all volunteer, not for profit charity organization that covers St. Louis. The charity’s funding focus changes as dollars ebb and flow as all money paid out is the result of donations from the community.
What Cool Down St. Louis helps pay
Priority goes to seniors, people with disabilities, and low-income families with small children who have serious medical conditions. As those individuals are most at risk when it comes to summer heat. A free AC unit may be offered by Cool Down St. Louis only if the household has no working AC. Some limited repair help is offered too. In most cases the air conditioner units are not new, but will be no less than 2-3 years old. The program is first-come, first-served, with priority to seniors, people with disabilities, and medically fragile families with small children.
Proactive electric bill assistance is offered. Cool Down St. Louis’ runs programs to help people deal with the intense summer heat, and the primary goal is to help low income and the most vulnerable people avoid heat-related deaths and illnesses. In addition, Ameren and Cool Down are coordinating utility bill-help programs that can provide “upwards of $600” for eligible customers, alongside flexible payment options
Reconnection help is also offered to people that have had their electric or gas turned off, including for people with no money. Grant money and other limited amounts of financial support can help people pay bills or restore electric service if it was shut off due to non-payment.
Additional programs that are in addition to Cool Down St. Louis
Another option is contacting Ameren Missouri. The utility company is constantly involved in assisting those low income customers who are having trouble paying their summer utility bills and who may be falling behind. Ameren is willing to talk to customers, and they may be able to arrange budget billing or a special payment plan for those low income individuals who need financial assistance during the summer.
- In addition to their own payment plans, Ameren can provide information on other source of energy and summer cooling bill assistance. Examples include the federally funded government LIHEAP program. Each customer’s situation is different so it is important to call and talk to a representative of Ameren, and you should do this before the summer heat begins and/or your service is disconnected. To speak to a representative and to find out your options, dial 1-800-552-7583. Find more details on how to get help with Ameren bills in Missouri.
Also emergency type cooling shelters are often available. If you’re in immediate heat distress or waiting on an application, use city cooling centers. The City of St. Louis maintains an updated list of public cooling sites and opens more during heat emergencies; the page here includes locations and hours.
How to apply for utility help
Cool Down St. Louis uses separate online forms and intake process depending on where you live. As the process and qualifications are slightly different in St. Louis City, St. Louis County, or Outstate Missouri as well as the Metro East area. All those areas will require proof of income, the utility account number, the amount due, and any disconnection date, and it reminds applicants to notify their utility that an application is pending (that courtesy call can sometimes buy time). If funding is exhausted, staff may refer you to a partner agency.
To learn more about the Cool Down St. Louis programs, or if you need assistance in Missouri, call the Resource Hotline from Monday through Friday, during regular volunteer business hours. The phone number is 314-241-0001 or 314-241-7668. You can also decide to leave a message if a volunteer is assisting another party. Cool Down St. Louis does not provide referrals or sign people up over the internet, and any interested party will need to call the numbers above.
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