Problem Solved via 2-1-1
| By John Azoni - Jun 1, 2010 10:28:37 AM ET |
| Also listed in: 2-1-1 On the Go! |
Last week I got some great news from an elderly client that she had gotten her utilities turned back on thanks to a simple referral from 2-1-1.
Let me back up.
Myself and my outreach partner that day, Tammy, deployed to the home of a sweet elderly woman. She owed over $5,000 on her utility bill which added up from having to pay other unexpected expenses. Her middle-aged son was battling cancer and was cut off his Medicare plan once his treatments got to be too extensive (another unfortunate situation altogether).
As you can imagine, being a senior with medical needs herself, legally blind, on a fixed income, with a son who is ill, and life continuing to go on (bills and all), it's a lot to keep up with.
When we arrived her utilities were pending shutoff. A week later DTE had turned off her lights and gas completely after giving her a grace period. I was working with her to help her get some assistance for her bill, but as most things go when working within the formal system of care, there are applications, and waiting periods. Almost nothing is immediate, especially utility assistance.
My last idea was to have her call DTE case management line to ask about applying for a Home Heating Credit. Turns out she was eligible and was able to get the bill paid down to a manageable amount. She fortunately had enough money in savings to pay the rest herself.
Last I heard from her, DTE was scheduled to come out the next day to turn her utilities back on.
So jf you or someone you know in the metro Detroit area is struggling to pay their utility bills, and is low income, you can call DTE about a Home Heating Credit. Details here:http://www.dteenergy.com/residentialCustomers/billingPayment/paymentPrograms/payAssistance.html#heatingCredit
And of course, 2-1-1 is always a great resource to keep in mind as we have information to thousands of community agencies in your area.
Let me back up.
Myself and my outreach partner that day, Tammy, deployed to the home of a sweet elderly woman. She owed over $5,000 on her utility bill which added up from having to pay other unexpected expenses. Her middle-aged son was battling cancer and was cut off his Medicare plan once his treatments got to be too extensive (another unfortunate situation altogether).
As you can imagine, being a senior with medical needs herself, legally blind, on a fixed income, with a son who is ill, and life continuing to go on (bills and all), it's a lot to keep up with.
When we arrived her utilities were pending shutoff. A week later DTE had turned off her lights and gas completely after giving her a grace period. I was working with her to help her get some assistance for her bill, but as most things go when working within the formal system of care, there are applications, and waiting periods. Almost nothing is immediate, especially utility assistance.
My last idea was to have her call DTE case management line to ask about applying for a Home Heating Credit. Turns out she was eligible and was able to get the bill paid down to a manageable amount. She fortunately had enough money in savings to pay the rest herself.
Last I heard from her, DTE was scheduled to come out the next day to turn her utilities back on.
So jf you or someone you know in the metro Detroit area is struggling to pay their utility bills, and is low income, you can call DTE about a Home Heating Credit. Details here:http://www.dteenergy.com/residentialCustomers/billingPayment/paymentPrograms/payAssistance.html#heatingCredit
And of course, 2-1-1 is always a great resource to keep in mind as we have information to thousands of community agencies in your area.
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