Now more than ever, households in Mecklenburg County are having trouble keeping up with their utility bills.
To assist with the overwhelming need, $3.5 million in federal Crisis Intervention Program (CIP) funding is available to prevent utility disconnection.
CIP can help families pay up to $600 toward their overdue utility bills. To access the CIP money, families must meet the following conditions:
- At least one household resident is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- Total household income is at or below 150% of the federal poverty level ($3,275/month for a household of 4)
- Have an overdue bill, a disconnection notice or have already been disconnected
Customers with past due utility bills may now seek financial assistance for both the past due amount and the full balance on a payment plan, if any. This means that households that accrued balances during the utility moratorium in 2020 may be eligible for aid to bring them fully current on their utility bill.
Crisis Assistance Ministry is located at 500-A Spratt St and is open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Detailed instructions for those seeking assistance are available at: www.crisisassistance.org/gethelp.