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Memphis, TN. - Mayor A C Wharton announced today that the Shelby County Community Services Agency will begin accepting calls next week to provide financial assistance to residents who have recently received MLGW cut-off notices. The CSA Emergency Utility Assistance Call Center will open from 9 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. beginning Tuesday, Jan. 27 through Thursday, Jan. 29. The call center will also provide assistance to county residents Friday, Jan. 30 from 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.
The CSA Emergency Utility Assistance Call Center was established by Mayor Wharton in 2006 to provide a more efficient and effective, service-oriented method for residents to apply for Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program funds. Prior to the call center, residents were required to wait hours in line and brave unpredictable weather conditions to determine if they qualified for assistance. Today, residents only need to place a call to 901-535-2200 to begin the process to formally apply for help with their winter heating bills.
Based on significant corporate cut-backs and lay-offs impacting the Mid-South, Shelby County officials are preparing for hefty call volumes. The call center, staffed by Shelby County employees who have volunteered to alter their traditional workload and members of the Memphis and Shelby County Health Department's Public Health Reserve Corps, will offer assistance in both English and Spanish.
"We hope to provide financial assistance to as many people who qualify and we will be open until all funds have been exhausted," said Mayor Wharton. "Residents who are unable to pay their utility bill due to an uncontrollable emergency, such as a major medical expense or unexpected home or car repair bill, are encouraged to call."
To apply for assistance, residents must call the CSA Emergency Utility Assistance Call Center at 901-535-2200 to schedule an appointment. The Community Services Agency will not be accepting walk-in appointments.
To qualify, residents must:
- have received a recent MLGW cut-off notice
- meet federal income requirements
- have an adult living in the home who is 60 years or older, or
- have an adult or child living in the home who is disabled, or
- within the past 90 days have experienced a major, uncontrollable circumstance preventing payment of utility bill
Federal funding is limited and residents who have received utility assistance from the Shelby County Community Services Agency anytime since July 2008 will not be eligible for assistance.
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