Where Can I Find Assistance?

Community Action Agency (CAA): Start with your local CAA by visiting this searchable tool. You will need to input your city and state or zip code to locate a CAA near you. CAAs are non-profit organizations, located in 99 percent of U.S. counties, that provide services to help fight poverty. CAAs can connect you to local organizations specializing in energy efficiency improvements including the following:

Energy Utility: Your local electric or gas utility company may offer assistance to offset or eliminate the cost of adding insulation, replacing heating, cooling, and/or water heating equipment, and other upgrades to improve energy affordability and home comfort. Most utility programs will start with an energy assessment, whereby an approved professional will visit your home and identifies opportunities for energy efficient upgrades based on need, housing type, and eligibility. Utility companies may also offer financial assistance for paying energy bills. Contact your utility company(s) to find out what is available to you.

Federal Benefits Website: The website benefits.gov is an official website of the U.S. government, and collaboration of multiple federal agencies. It is designed to “increase citizen access to benefit information, while reducing the expense and difficulty of interacting with the federal government.” We recommend beginning by searching your state for financial assistance related to housing and public utilities. American Indian and Alaskan Natives may also be benefit for programs that are designed to meet their unique needs such as the Housing Improvement Program and  Direct Home Loans for Native Americans.

If you’d like to speak with someone right away to discuss your emergency service options, dial 2-1-1 for United Way’s hotline to be connected to a professional.