#billhelper

[billhelper]

Master Your Budget Like a Pro | 5 Dollar Bill Helper

Achieve your financial dreams with the 5 Dollar Bill Helper app. Take control of your budget for just $5 and stay on track like a pro.

[astridrose22]

[theoff-campusconnection]

Know Your Power: Programs to Help with Your Energy Bills

Did you know there are a number of special programs available in Ontario to help lower-income energy consumers?  If you’re struggling to pay your energy bill, check to see if you’re eligible for the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) or the Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP).  Both are available through the Ontario Energy Board, an independent and impartial public agency that regulates Ontario’s energy sector.

 LEAP provides a one-time grant of up to $500 ($600 for electrically heated homes) if you’re behind on electricity or natural gas bills and may face having your service shut off.  It is for emergency situations.

 OESP offers ongoing help, providing a monthly on-bill credit to reduce your electricity bills. The amount of the credit varies, but for most customers it ranges from $35 to $75 per month—for at least two years before you would need to reapply. OESP is also available if you’re living in homes that have sub-meters (apartments, condos, co-ops and trailers, for example) where each unit has an individual meter and your electricity bill comes from a company other than your utility.

 Learn more about OEB and see if you meet the criteria to qualify for one of these programs at www.oeb.ca/billhelp.

[csrgood]

Energy Assistance Fund Helps Customers Keep the Lights On

  Energized by Edison blog

The impacts of COVID-19 are being felt around the world.

To support customers struggling to make ends meet because of the global crisis, Southern California Edison has increased the amount of bill relief provided by the Energy Assistance Fund.

Income-qualified customers experiencing COVID-19 financial hardship due to quarantine, illness, caring for loved ones or business closures can apply for assistance to pay their electric bill. Customers who use both electricity and gas to power their homes can receive up to $200 in aid and customers with all-electric homes can receive up to $300.

The program is limited to customers who have not already used this program in the last 12 months. This resource is available to customers until the fund is depleted. Customers can contribute to the fund through their monthly bill or via a credit card donation.

Established in 1982, the Energy Assistance Fund is supported by Edison International shareholders as well as donations from SCE employees and customers. Through the United Way of Greater Los Angeles, every year 10,000-15,000 customers receive help paying their bill.

In addition to the Energy Assistance Fund, income-qualified customers may be able to take advantage of the California Alternate Rates for Energy or Family Electric Rate Assistance.

The CARE program provides income-qualified households a discount of about 30% on monthly electric bills. FERA provides a reduced monthly discount of 18% for income-qualified households of three or more. Eligibility for both programs is based on annual household income and the total number of people living in the household.

SCE has also suspended service disconnections for nonpayment and is waiving late fees by request for residential and business customers impacted by the COVID-19 emergency.

For more information about customer programs, visit: sce.com/billhelp.

source: https://www.csrwire.com/press_releases/44854-Energy-Assistance-Fund-Helps-Customers-Keep-the-Lights-On?tracking_source=rss

[billhelper]

Introducing Five Dollar Bill Helper, the bill tracker app to help you get your finances in order. This app makes it easy to balance your bills and keep track of your money. With Five Dollar Bill Helper, you'll be closer to financial success than ever. It's like having a personal financial assistant right at your fingertips!

[billhelper]

Be involved with your finances. 5 Dollar Bill Helper allows you to balance your bills and spending. Download the app and never miss a bill payment.

[csrgood]

Electric Service Remains Safe and Reliable During COVID-19 Emergency Restrictions

Edison International Energized blog

by Caroline Aoyagi-Stom

As communities throughout California continue to practice physcial distancing amid Gov. Gavin Newsom’s stay-at-home order, the utility is reassuring its customers that electric service will not be impacted. Electric service is considered essential and Southern California Edison employees are exempt from the order.

Electric service is identified by the state as a critical infrastructure sector on the frontlines of the COVID-19 battle. In addition to hospitals, medical clinics and research facilities, this includes public safety agencies, water districts and telecommunications networks.

“We provide an essential service for our communities and the COVID-19 emergency has brought that into sharp focus,” said Pedro Pizarro, president and CEO of Edison International, SCE’s parent company. “Our employees are determined to operate and maintain the grid in these challenging times when residents need our service most.”

SCE has already postponed temporarily all planned power outages that are not critical. Only those outages that are deemed to be emergencies, such as a car hitting a power pole, or for public safety and wildfire mitigation will continue. Affected customers will receive timely notices for this emergency work. SCE is also working to shorten the duration of these outages.

Customers can call 800-611-1911 or visit SCE.com/outage to report any unplanned repair outages. SCE troublemen, line crews and customer service representatives continue to work normal hours to serve customers if a power outage occurs.

SCE is also helping customers with their bills by suspending service disconnections for nonpayment when requested and waiving late fees for business and residential customers impacted by the COVID-19 emergency.

Customers who are not eligible for income-qualified programs can work with SCE staff on payment arrangements that could spread out their payments and help during difficult times. Visit sce.com/billhelp or call 1-800-950-2356 for more information.

The utility is following the recommendations of state and health officials — including CDC guidelines — on washing hands often, avoiding close contact and staying home when sick to help reduce the risk of exposure to the virus. Employees who continue to serve critical functions in the field or office are also using additional protective gear when tasks require them to be closer than the recommended three to six feet.

This is a quickly evolving situation and SCE emergency planning teams are focused daily on the continuity of its critical operations and managing potential impacts to its workers, customers and communities. For more information and updates on our response to COVID-19, visit SCE.com/safety/coronavirus.

Tips on How to Keep Yourself and Others Healthy

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with an alcohol content of at least 60%.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

Avoid or limit your time in crowded areas (airports, conference venues, etc.).

Practice physcial distance, which means that you maintain a distance from others as much as possible.

If you have any signs or symptoms- Opens in new window, consult a medical professional, do not report to any work facility and contact your manager or supervisor.

Older adults and people with chronic medical conditions may be at increased risk and should take additional precautionary actions such as avoiding travel.

For more information, visit the CDC or WHO sites for reliable and up-to-date information. You can also follow the CDC guidelines on how to stay safe.

source: https://www.csrwire.com/press_releases/44301-Electric-Service-Remains-Safe-and-Reliable-During-COVID-19-Emergency-Restrictions?tracking_source=rss