Your utility bills are overdue, and you’ve just received a disconnection notice. If you don’t pay within a few days, the lights or heating will get cut. If this sounds like you, you can get emergency help with utility bills.

Many organizations are reaching out to help families whose income has been hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. And if those don’t work out, there are other ways to raise money before the lights go out.

6 Fast Ways To Get Emergency Help With Utility Bills

1. Check Out LIHEAP

LIHEAP stands for Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, a government agency set up specifically to provide emergency help with utility bills.

To qualify, your state looks at your total income and the total number of people in your household. For example, a family of 4 should have a minimum income of $36,450. If it falls below that, you can apply for LIHEAP assistance.

2. Approach Charity Organizations

Applying to LIHEAP can take time. If you need emergency help with utility bills right now, you may get a faster response from local charity organizations. You can call 211, a hotline for emergency financial assistance (similar to how 911 connects you to emergency medical services). The operator can then find groups that are active in your area.

Possible referrals are Salvation Army, church organizations, non-profit organizations like Love Inc., and so on. If 211 doesn’t work, then try searching for these groups online and making a direct inquiry. You can also go to your local church or community center to ask for a referral.

3. Call Your Utility Company’s Customer Care

Your utility company may have special payment plans for customers who need emergency help with utility bills. Call the customer care hotline and explain your situation.

Ask if you can ask for a deferral or a restructured payment plan. Or, you can ask if they can refer you to an organization that can help. Some energy companies have partnerships with social organizations that provide emergency help with utility bills.

4. Check The Laws

The government has set guidelines for disconnection to protect Americans who had been hard-hit by the economic fall-out of the pandemic. While implementation varies from state to state, it is generally accepted that your heating and electricity shouldn’t be cut during winter or if any member of your family has medical needs. Call your local county office to find out more about the laws, and if you qualify for exemption from disconnection.

5. Ask Your Friends Or Employer For A Loan

If local government or charity associations don’t pan out, you may try to approach people closer to home. Are there are friends or family members who can help pay off at least the minimum amount to prevent disconnection?

If they can’t, can your employer advance part of your next paycheck or give you an extra shift? People are generally kind and compassionate. If you explain that you need emergency help with utility bills, they will do what they can. And even if they don’t, it was worth a try!

 

 

6. Apply For Installment Loans

You’ve called everyone and tried everything, but you still couldn’t get emergency help with utility bills. But don’t worry – you still have one reliable option left. Carolina Title Loans, Inc. offers a variety of short-term loans including installment loans. Installment loans allow you to pay off the loan over a longer period of time. You pay a regular amount, which is due on a particular day each month until the loan is completely paid off.

When it comes to getting emergency help with utility bills through installment loans, there are plenty of benefits. Unlike a payday loan, you have more time to pay back your loan. And unlike title loans, you do not have to put up anything as collateral. You can also apply if you have bad credit. We also do not make you go through a laundry list of requirements in order to get through our process. And, while we are talking about our process, it is simple and convenient for anyone to go through.

To get through the South Carolina installment loans process, all you have to do is fill out our online form to begin. Once you submit it, we will give you a call to discuss the rest of the process. We will let you know what to bring in and answer any questions. When you get off the phone, you can either come to the nearest location or have us come to you to finish the process.

Get The Emergency Help You Need Today

When it comes to getting emergency help with utility bills, there are plenty of options out there available. Whether you use one of our options or you find other forms of help through the internet, you do not have to worry about your utility bills alone. And if you do want installment loans, fill out our online form to get started on our process. 

Note: The content provided in this article is only for informational purposes, and you should contact your financial advisor about your specific financial situation.