Customer Advisory Utility Assistance Programs Electric, gas and telephone utilities serve millions of customers in Georgia, but there are many customers who can't afford gas, electricity or basic phone service without the help of payment assistance programs. Many electric, gas, and telephone utility companies offer payment plans to their customers who qualify. They may allow deferred payment for those who cannot pay their whole bill or delay disconnection for customers trying to pay their bills. Many civic groups, charitable organizations, and churches in local communities provide payment assistance to low income customers. For more information, contact your gas, electric, or telephone service provider. Telephone Programs Lifeline Lifeline Assistance provides up to a $13.50 credit on qualified residential customers' bills in BellSouth's service area (a federal credit of $10 and an additional credit of $3.50 from BellSouth). Customers in other telephone companies' service areas receive the $10 federal credit. Link Up Georgia Link-Up Georgia reduces the cost of hook-up charges for eligible customers. BellSouth waives 100% of the telephone service hook-up charge for its customers. Customers of all other local telephone companies in Georgia receive a waiver of one-half of the connection charge or $30, whichever is less. You may be eligible if you can prove that you are currently receiving benefits under one of the following programs: Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Food Stamps Medicaid Senior citizen low-income discount plan offered by the local gas or power company Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA) Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Call your local phone company to see if you qualify. Electric and Gas Programs Weatherization The Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority (www.gefa.org) distributes funds for weatherization assistance through Community Action Agencies for the repair or renovation of homes of low-income residents to make them more energy efficient. For more information call 404.656.3826 or contact your local Community Action Agency. Low Income Energy Assistance Most electric and gas utility companies provide an efficient means for their customers to help needy individuals by making it possible to include charitable donations with utility bill payments. Georgia Power Company and Atlanta Gas Light Company match funding contributed by their customers. The Heating Energy Assistance Team ("HEAT") program is administered by the Georgia Department of Human Resources statewide through Community Action Agencies. For more information call 404.656.6696 or your local Community Action Agency. Project SHARE is also a statewide program and is administered by The Salvation Army. For more information call 1.800.25SHARE or your power company's customer service number. Senior Citizen Discounts Senior citizen discount rates provide savings for those who qualify. Customers who are at least 65 years old with a total household income of not more than $14,355 annually, are eligible to receive a $14.00 discount on their Georgia Power or Savannah Electric power bill. Natural gas customers in Atlanta Gas Light Company's delivery area may receive up to a $14.00 discount. Call your gas or electric service provider for more information. Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)/PSC Matching Grant for Seniors As a resident of Georgia, you may qualify for a financial assistance program designed to help you pay your energy bills. Low-income consumers who meet the following criteria are eligible to receive assistance from the federally-funded LIHEAP. Has an annual income at or below 150% of the poverty level for Georgia, is responsible for paying the cost of his or her home's primary heating source, and is a U.S. citizen or legally admitted alien. For more information or to apply for assistance, contact the numbers listed below. Phone Numbers for LIHEAP Assistance Name Number Department of Human Resources Fulton County and DeKalb County(inside city of Atlanta) 800.869.1150 404.320.0166 DeKalb County (outside city of Atlanta), Gwinnett County and Rockdale County 404.929.2454 Augusta area 706.722.0493 Savannah-Chatham area 912.238.2960 Macon-Bibb County 478.738.3240 Other Financial Assistance Programs The United Way, 2.1.1, or 404.614.1000 The Salvation Army, 404.873.3101, or 800.257.4273 - toll free If you have any questions or require further assistance, please contact us.