Post by Steve on Apr 16, 2019 16:46:37 GMT -8
HEAP will help you with both Kamps and PG&E bills. Any help is worth trying for. For help, calll the Senior Center at 530 621 6150. It listen to a long message before you get to talk to a human, and be ready to make a few notes.
HEAP provides $500 a year to help with propane, or $350 a year for PG&E. NOTE: the money does not come to you. Your bills are paid from a fund and you are covered! Pretty nice.
When I applied (March '19), it was a surprise to be told there was still money from 2018, so I got to apply for that as well. I did, and I got both years*.
* UPDATED: After getting $1,000 to pay Kamps for years to come, my next Kamps bill was for $6.00! SIX dollars! After paying several months of $30+ each month, suddenly it dropped to $6.00? Now I need to call the Senior Center again to see if I can divert half of that HEAP help to PG&E? When I applied, I was told it all went to one or the other. I suspect that is not quite the case. But calling back to even ask a simple question is a frustrating experience since you must listen to a four-minute recording that explains every detail of the many items you need to prove you qualify. Like how much do you think your firewood will cost this year? It seems endless after you have actually applied and received the benefit, you still have to listen every time. Why can't the call just be answered and IF you indicate you want to appluy, they can play the message.
It may be better to just GO to the Senior Center (skip the recording) and pick up the forms that need to be filled out before a later appointment. You WILL need an appointment, your SS Award letter, and a birth certificate or passport. And yes, there is more paperwork. It is well worth the effort. and it can take a few months to actually get the funds!
HEAP provides $500 a year to help with propane, or $350 a year for PG&E. NOTE: the money does not come to you. Your bills are paid from a fund and you are covered! Pretty nice.
When I applied (March '19), it was a surprise to be told there was still money from 2018, so I got to apply for that as well. I did, and I got both years*.
* UPDATED: After getting $1,000 to pay Kamps for years to come, my next Kamps bill was for $6.00! SIX dollars! After paying several months of $30+ each month, suddenly it dropped to $6.00? Now I need to call the Senior Center again to see if I can divert half of that HEAP help to PG&E? When I applied, I was told it all went to one or the other. I suspect that is not quite the case. But calling back to even ask a simple question is a frustrating experience since you must listen to a four-minute recording that explains every detail of the many items you need to prove you qualify. Like how much do you think your firewood will cost this year? It seems endless after you have actually applied and received the benefit, you still have to listen every time. Why can't the call just be answered and IF you indicate you want to appluy, they can play the message.
It may be better to just GO to the Senior Center (skip the recording) and pick up the forms that need to be filled out before a later appointment. You WILL need an appointment, your SS Award letter, and a birth certificate or passport. And yes, there is more paperwork. It is well worth the effort. and it can take a few months to actually get the funds!