As a Customer Care Representative, Yessica Rangel regularly hears from customers who have fallen into hard times and are struggling to pay their bills.
She helps them find solutions in her day-to-day work, but to do her personal part to help, Rangel regularly contributes to a TEP program to donate to the electric bills of others.
Tucson Electric Power customers can round up their bills each month for our Help with Emergency Energy Relief Operation, or HEERO, program. That spare change can help low-income customers cover their energy costs, particularly in the face of rising prices for goods and housing.
“I love doing it,” Rangel said. “I honestly don’t know how much I round up – out of sight, out of mind. Hopefully there won’t be a time that I will need it, but this is one way to help a family in need.”
Rangel was among thousands of customers who stepped up to help last year to keep the lights on, contributing nearly $116,000 to others in need. Since the HEERO program launched in 2011, customers have contributed more than $2 million dollars to support their neighbors.
Customer Mary Alice Wallace, a retiree on the east side of town, started participating in the program at its inception. “I think it’s a painless way to contribute,” she said, noting she feels it’s an extension of the giving she does to support other causes, such as veterans, food security, healthcare and education.
With experience working for an electric company in another state early in her career, Wallace understands how essential energy is to daily life. “I always look to see how much of a contribution all those cents added up to. Maybe it’s just a few dollars, but it all adds up when we all pitch in.”
Donating is easy. You can just round up your bill or contribute a certain amount each month. Your contribution will appear each month as part of your TEP bill.
Every penny goes to help low‑income residents. TEP does not use any donations for program administration. Donations are managed by the Salvation Army, which uses those resources to provide assistance to people identified by the Emergency Services Network, a group of human service agencies that serve Tucson’s low-income population.
Rangel has seen firsthand how these contributions help in her role in the Special Plans department, which assists customers with bills and payment arrangements. She has visited the Salvation Army to learn ways from agency partners to better support customers. “I hear the stories. I know every little bit counts,” Rangel said.
To get started, please visit https://www.tep.com/heero/ or give us a call at 520-623-7711. You can also manage your donation through My Account or the mobile app.
“It’s amazing to watch how spare change becomes real change,” said Denise Taylor, Director of Customer Service and Programs. “When neighbors look out for one another, those small gestures grow into something powerful for families facing tough times.”
If you need help paying your bill, learn more about payment assistance that might be available to you.
