Students with money problems can get help with their energy bill this year, thanks to the EnergyShare program sponsored by Eugene Water and Electric Board.
Armed with a valid ID, income verification and their latest bill, people making less than $1402 a month can get up to $300 a year as a credit on their utility bills. Families making less than $2695 a month also qualify for the program.
There is a catch, however. The goal of the program is to keep customers current on their billing statements, so emphasis is placed on people who are behind on their bill. To qualify for EnergyShare, a customer must be past due on his or her bill.
“You need to have demonstrated an inability to pay,” said EWEB spokesman Marty Douglass. Power rates increased 36 percent last November, pushing a typical bill to $250 a month. EWEB is also considering another rate hike to eliminate the utility’s $40 million budget deficit.
“It’s wintertime and bills are increasing,” EWEB spokesman Lance Robertson said. “I hope people take advantage of the program.”
St. Vincent de Paul supervises the program for EWEB, and director of self sufficiency services Gaylene Glidewell said between 20 and 25 percent of the assistance is given to students.
Parent income is not considered when a student applies for the program. Students merely need to present a copy of their financial award letters and most recent tax returns to show income eligibility for EnergyShare.
“We have no problems with students,” Glidewell said. “We love to help students.”
The program has relied on private donations in the past, but EWEB has added $1.8 million in funding this year to supplement the $125,000 raised through donations. The program will hand out the $1.9 million total by the end of the year, and has distributed $20,000 a week since Jan. 1.
“The money is there for people to take advantage of,” Robertson said.
Officials said the EnergyShare program is an important way to get people back on their feet. EWEB typically writes off $300,000 a year in past-due bills, but the amount surpassed $1 million in 2001 because of the economic downturn and rising energy costs.
Glidewell said EWEB’s approach to customer’s inability to pay is unique.
“There’s no other utility in Lane County that does what EWEB does with this program,” she said.
Elizabeth Bickford, University Director of Financial Aid, said she’s glad EWEB is lending a hand.
When calculating financial aid, “We have to take a standard budget and apply it to everyone,” she said.
For more information on the EnergyShare program, call 689-6747.