Community Partnership Report - Customer Assistance Programs
TEP offers several programs designed to help low-income customers pay their electric bills. We've also worked closely with state lawmakers and low-income advocates to make more funding available for our neediest customers.
We recently joined the Arizona Community Action Association in a successful effort to strengthen Arizona's energy assistance program. Funding for the program was increased $500,000 to $1.5 million, providing enough money to assist an additional 2,500 low-income households.
HEERO
With each month's bill, we invite customers to be a hero to low-income families by donating to our HEERO (Help with Emergency Energy Relief Operation) program. Contributions are forwarded to the Salvation Army and other local agencies for distribution to customers who need help making deposits or paying a bill.
During fiscal year 2008, our customers contributed more than $150,000 in HEERO funds that were used to assist 647 local families. On average, customers received $230.24 in assistance.
LIFE Fund
Low-income customers who need emergency bill payment assistance can turn to TEP's LIFE Fund. Under the program, roughly $19,000 of monthly interest earned from a $4.5 million investment made by shareholders of TEP's parent company, UniSource Energy Corporation, is used to help customers who face pressing financial burdens. In fiscal year 2007, 1,021 families received $232,034 in assistance from the program.
Lifeline Discounts
More than 17,000 Tucson-area families living at or near poverty level received extra help during fiscal year 2008 thanks to TEP's Residential Lifeline Discount program. Families with a combined household income at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty level are eligible to receive $8 off their TEP residential bills each month.
More than $1.9 million worth of discounts were granted to TEP customers under the program during the fiscal year.
