Atlanta Gas Light: Help available paying for heat

As temperatures continue to drop, Atlanta Gas Light is reminding customers who may need assistance with their winter heating bills of available resources.

In the past five years, Atlanta Gas Light customers have benefited from receiving more than $5 million in energy assistance funds through a program administered by the Georgia Public Service Commission. In 2018, Atlanta Gas Light cus- tomers will receive over $1.5 million, including more than $250,000 from the compa- ny’s charitable giving to metro area non-profit agen- cies to help fund energy assistance programs.

Recently the company held its first Corporate Giving Empowerment Breakfast event to recognize the hard work and dedication of non-profit agencies who serve those most in need.

“We take great pride in our partnerships with local agencies to ensure citizens in the communities that we live and serve can enjoy the comfort and reliability of natural gas,” said Bryan Batson, president of Atlanta Gas Light.

The following agencies provide energy assistance for those who qualify:

■ Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps eligible customers pay for their winter heating service and may cover certain cooling expenses for customers with specific medical con- ditions. Eligibility is based on household size and income. LIHEAP is 100 percent feder- ally funded through a grant program from the Federal Department of Health and Human Services. Early enroll- ment for seniors and people with disabilities will begin on Nov. 1 and general enrollment begins Dec. 1. Applications for all energy assistance programs can be made through a local Community Action Agency or non-profit organi- zation. If a participant qual- ified for LIHEAP last year, he or she must reapply by submitting the state recerti- fication form, along with all other required documents, to their local agency. For information about Georgia LIHEAP, call 1-877-423-4746 or visit the Georgia Division of Family and Children Ser- vices at www.tinyurl.com/ AGLHeatHelp.

■ H.E.A.T.: The Geor- gia Department of Human Services distributes Heat- ing Energy Assistance Team (H.E.A.T.) funds statewide through local community action agencies. H.E.A.T. funds assist households expe- riencing a potential loss of energy service or households in need of getting service restored. Visit www.heatga. org or call 678-406-0212 to discuss eligibility or donate.

■ Senior Discount program: Atlanta Gas Light will provide eligible senior citizens with a discount of $14 a month on their natural gas bills. The monthly discount is reflected on the bill they receive from their natural gas provider. For more information on eligibility, contact your provider.

■ Hope Works (formerly Resource Service Ministries): HopeWorks helps low-in- come seniors in the greater Atlanta area with weather- ization assistance for homes, gas furnace repairs and general maintenance. Informa- tion: 404-872-0167 or www. hopeworks4us.org.

■ United Way: Customers can call United Way’s 211 number for a listing of other agencies that can assist with available funding.