We are seeing almost triple the number of shut off emergency assistance applications this year! We need your help!!!
Perhaps it is a sign of the times as more and more are struggling to make ends meet. Perhaps because we could only help emergency situations during the end of our 2013 funding cycle in December, people think that is still the case. Our goal at GNC is to help as many families as we can with funding that has been cut from last year’s level. Right now, the extra numbers of clients reporting a crisis is affecting our ability to process applications from those that responsibly are budgeting and working with their electric and fuel providers to meet their account obligations.
The GNC Energy Assistance program is a SUPPLEMENTAL ASSISTANCE program, not an emergency fund for people that don’t pay their heating and electric bills on time and wait until they have a shut off notice to apply.
If you have difficulty making ends meet, you can contact Pacific Power and/or your fuel provider to make arrangements for a payment plan. Since the timeframe around a shut off notice spans almost a month, it is the CLIENT’S RESPONSIBILITY to pay their bill or make arrangements, not ignore notices until they are in shut off crisis. Even then, there is no guarantee that GNC can help them in that situation.
Reminder: To apply, call 938-4115 ext 110 and clearly leave your name, mailing address and phone number. You will receive a call from GNC staff to begin the application process.