Utility companies offer financial assistance as freezing temperatures loom

St. Joseph residents are feeling the financial toll of January’s extreme winter weather, which is why some utility companies and nonprofit organizations are offering financial assistance to ease the burden of utility costs.

Lowering heating bills in the bitter cold can seem daunting, but steps as small as ensuring there’s no clutter near heaters or radiators and insulating windows and doors can reduce energy consumption significantly.

“Just be mindful of, you know, turning off lights that they leave (on) out the room, always use power strips when plugging in things to the walls,” Alisha Duarte, a senior customer affairs advisor for Evergy, said. “The settings on your thermostat will also be helpful as well, leaving it set at one temperature rather than changing and adjusting the thermostat. (Evergy is) recommending anywhere between like 68 to 70 degrees to have their thermostat set at that temperature.”

If the bills are still too high to manage, many utility companies like Spire offer financial assistance programs such as Budget Billing, which provides a predictable monthly payment schedule.

“That’s to avoid, of course, these high winter bills by spreading their usage over 12 months,” Vonda Cotton, Spire’s community outreach specialist, said. “There’s a budget that’s created and we divide it by 12, and that’s what they pay for the next 12 months.”

Qualifying customers also can apply for Spire’s Furnace Repair Program which offers up to $1,000 for repairs to gas furnaces.

While water usage is typically not an issue during the winter months, several St. Joseph residents worry that their pipes may freeze and sometimes leave faucets dripping, resulting in a higher bill. Because of this, Missouri American Water has teamed up with Community Action Partnership to help with their H2O, or Help 2 Others, program.

“We supply funding to the agency for them to distribute,” Christie Barnhart, Missouri American Water’s senior manager for external communications, said. “They have criteria they look at with customers that are facing hardships with paying their water bill. Customers say pipes burst and they have a high water bill because the water runs. They can contact us, and they do have to have some kind of proof that they have fixed the problem, and then we do have a leak adjustment protocol in place.

For those in need of additional assistance, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, known as LIHEAP, can help keep families warm and healthy throughout the winter months. The program offers several services, including energy bill assistance, weatherization support and equipment repair and replacement.

To apply for the LIHEAP program, visit the program’s website at https://liheapch.acf.hhs.gov/.

Those who believe they would not qualify for financial assistance programs should still check with their utility companies over the phone or online.

“Customers who are very hesitant or just don’t want to ask for help, we want to basically reassure them that we’re here for that reason and never disqualify themselves,” Cotton said. “There’s a program to fit their needs, so we’ll make sure we make that happen. That’s what we’re here for, to serve our customers and provide that need, especially during this challenging time during these winter months.”

For more tips on reducing energy and utility costs, visit https://spireenergy.com/assistance.