There are multiple programs available to customers who are having difficulty paying their CLECO energy bills. The company provides direct financial assistance to its employees, as well as government benefits such as LIHEAP. The utility company will try to help a low income family who is facing a difficult situation.
The CARE program provides income qualified customers with a discount on their electricity rates. The Summer Discount Plan helps low-income families pay for their electricity by giving them a discount on their monthly bill. The program runs from July to September and families may qualify for a discount of up to 25%. All applications for this program must be submitted through your local Louisiana community action agency. For more information or to apply, please contact your local community action agency.
When you are trying to get CARE, also look into other programs that could help you save money, like weatherization. The main reason is that many of the same income conditions exist. This means that if you are low income, a senior, or have a disability, and you are approved for a LIHEAP grant, you will automatically be approved for the CARE discount.
The CLECO Power of Sharing Fund helps low-income families pay their utility bills. The fund uses donations from the public to help families in need. The program, which was formerly called the Energy Fund, provides economic assistance to disabled and/or senior citizens who are disadvantaged in their service territory. The money that is raised through this fund goes towards buying fans and blankets, paying energy bills, weatherizing homes, and making repairs to cooling or heating units.
The fund provides financial assistance through the Louisiana Association of Councils on Aging or a community action agency. Contact your local government office that provides services for seniors. They will have information about other senior assistance programs in Louisiana.
The Louisiana Emergency Deferred Billing Program is for special situations where the Public Service Commission declares an energy emergency. If you experience a hardship, you can defer paying a portion of your energy bill for up to 12 months.
What this means is that customers are given more time to pay off their balances. There are still conditions and limits in place, but this allows customers more flexibility in terms of when they can make their payments. The Deferred Billing Program is a way to pay your utility bills over time, rather than all at once. This can be helpful if you are having trouble paying your bills, or if you are on a fixed income.
The application is only for those who earn less than 150% of the Federal Poverty Level. Cleco customers who only receive Social Security or TANF payments may also qualify. This includes people who need life-sustaining medical treatment that requires electricity or life-sustaining, electrically operated equipment.
If customers are eligible for a deferment, they may be able to get help with their most recent utility bill that they have not yet paid. This will happen again every month.
The Credit Extension Agreement is a program that helps qualified customers by giving them more time to pay off their balance. This option is not for emergency situations. This means that Cleco can choose not to offer this service, or they can end a Credit Extension Agreement at any time.
The CLECO Levelized, or Managed Billing Plan, will average your utility bill over 12 months. Every month, your bill’s average will be calculated and rounded up to the next dollar amount. An annual adjustment is made to the average bill amount each month to make sure that people are not overpaying or underpaying. This is only available for customers who have a good record of payments on their account. Call the customer service number at 1-800-622-6537.
There are various programs that Cleco customers can benefit from that are offered by the state and federal government. Many of those are run by local nonprofits, such as community action agencies or organizations like the Salvation Army.
Weatherization is a government program that helps low-income households pay for energy-saving home improvements, like weatherstripping and insulation. The service helps people save energy and conserve resources in their homes. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program is a government program that helps low-income families pay for their heating and cooling bills. The fund provides both regular and crisis grants to help pay for a portion of utility bills. Other benefits that may be available through the Louisiana Department of Children & Family Services office include food assistance and health care.
To get more information about payment options, call 1-800-622-6537 to speak to a Cleco customer service representative.