City of Memphis $1 million Utility Assistance Program gives aid to MLGW customers facing cutoff notices
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Memphians who are facing utility cutoff notices may qualify for up to a $500 credit on their MLGW utility bills thanks to the Memphis Mayor and the Memphis City Council.
One of two ways to qualify:
· A Tennessee Department of Human Services client or
· A financial, health or military deployment-related hardship
You must also:
· Live in Memphis
· Have utilities in your name or your spouse’s name
· Have a current MLGW cut-off notice
Hardship Examples:
· 100% medically disabled
· Job loss
· Hospitalized for a half year
· Spouse on active military deployment
DHS clients must show proof of disconnect notice via:
· DHS’ office drop box, by mail or online
· No additional application needed
Hardship cases:
· Apply online at ncclife.org
· Pick up a paper copy at the Neighborhood Christian Center, 223 Scott St. from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
· Call NCC at 901-881-6013 and be switched to a pre-recorded message
· Drop off completed copies of the application, qualifying documents and cut-off notice in a sealed envelope with MLGW customer’s name on the outside at the NCC’s 223 Scott St. drop box. A NCC staffer will contact you within 3-5 business days.
ATTENTION: If you’ve received help through DHS, you’re ineligible to apply as a hardship case.
UTILITY ASSISTANCE COMMUNITY RESOURCES
Shelby County Division of Community Services and the Memphis & Shelby County Department of Planning and Development are accepting applications for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG-CV2) COVID-19 Mortgage and Utility Assistance Program. This program is designed to provide financial assistance to people residing in any municipal jurisdiction within Shelby County with the exception of the City of Memphis. Jurisdictions include Arlington, Bartlett, Collierville, Germantown, Lakeland, Millington, and Unincorporated Shelby County.
This program is available to applicants in need of financial assistance due to COVID-19 impacts on or after March 13, 2020. Eligible households may receive up to six consecutive months of mortgage and/or utility payments, including forbearance, past due balances, and late fees. Assistance will be offered with principal, interest, taxes, and insurance on a rolling basis in order of applications received until all funds have been committed.
Shelby County Community Services Agency (CSA)Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program
Through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) eligible households can receive up to $1000 once per program year. To qualify for Regular Assistance, you must be a resident of Shelby County with income at or below 150% Federal Poverty Guidelines and an active utility account. If you qualify for Regular Assistance above AND you received a cut-off notice, you may qualify for Emergency Assistance. To qualify, ONE of the below must also apply to your household:
- At least one household member is 60 years of age or over or;
- At least one household member is 5 years of age or younger;
- At least one household member has a disability or;
- The household has experienced an uncontrollable circumstance
You can apply online at https://shelbycountycsa.org/services/energy-assistance if you have applied for assistance with CSA within the past 2 years and services are active and you do not have a disconnect notice
Shelby County Community Services Agency has relocated its offices to 1188 Minna Place, Memphis TN 38104. For questions or additional information visit or call (901)222-4200.
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul offers utility assistance to residents of Memphis when funding is available. Contact the society at 722-4703 or 274-2137.
The Millington Crisis Center Ministry offers emergency utility assistance when funding is available. Contact them at 872-4357.
The Navy – Marine Corps Relief Society – NSA – Mid-South Base – Emergency Financial Assistance provides utility and other assistance for active duty and retired military personnel, their widows and spouses with power of attorney. (Services are also provided for: Army Emergency Relief, Air Force Aid Society and Coast Guard Mutual Assistance.) Call 874-7350 or visit nmcrs.org/ for information.
The Sickle Cell Foundation of Tennessee offers utility assistance (up to $100) for sickle cell patients. Note: funds are available for sickle cell patients, persons with the trait only are not eligible for assistance. Call 552-4267 for help.
The COVID-19 Emergency Rental and Utilities Assistance Program helps eligible households pay up to 12 months of past due rent and utilities. This program is only for renters living in Memphis and Shelby County. Applicants must have someone in the household with a financial loss due to COVID-19, be past due on rent and/or utilities and has a household income that is at or under 80% of the county’s median income. For details. Visit
home901.org/covid-renters/ or text HOME901 to 21000 or text CASA901 to 21000 for Spanish.
Memphis, TN 38103