It’s supposed to be more than 90 degrees every single day this week in Tulsa. While your air conditioner is fighting the heat, your bills are probably running high.
Last month, 459 people called 211 for electric service payment assistance in Tulsa, according to hotline operator Tulsa Area United Way. Those people received 1,180 referrals to services. 211 Eastern Oklahoma connects Oklahomans in need to various free, confidential services.
Oklahoma leads the nation in power shutoffs relative to its size, according to a recent federal report. There are several state programs and city resources to help pay bills, find somewhere cool to stay or apply for energy rebates. The Flyer rounded them up so you can stay cool this summer.
Operation Cool Down
Oklahoma Veterans United gives away free air conditioning units through the Operation Cool Down initiative. It’s primarily for low-income veterans but is open to other Tulsans too if extra units are available. You have to meet the following requirements:
- You don’t have an air conditioner already in your home.
- You are a resident of Tulsa County.
- You are enrolled in a public assistance program or meet low-income guidelines.
- You have limited mobility or difficulty accessing cooler locations during peak heat hours.
- If you’re not a veteran, you have a qualifying medical condition that becomes life-threatening in extreme heat and is verified by a doctor’s statement.
Download the application on the Oklahoma Veterans United website and email, fax or drop it off at the organization’s Tulsa office at 115 West 3rd St., Suite 600.
Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
This program helps you pay for energy, based on your income and household size. You can apply on the Oklahoma Department of Human Services website, and you have to meet the following requirements:
- You have a utility account number and your utility provider’s information.
- You may also need to provide the following documents: identification, earned income, other income, medical expenses, immigration status, Social Security numbers and a utility notice.
It can take up to 90 days to see the LIHEAP payment hit your account. You can find more information here.
Energy Crisis Assistance Program (ECAP)
If your electricity company refuses to start, continue or restore service without payment, you might qualify for the Energy Crisis Assistance Program (ECAP) program.
Also administered through the Oklahoma Department of Human Services, this program pays the minimum amount to resolve an energy crisis for a month. Your household can get up to $750 per federal fiscal year in payments. You need to meet one of the following requirements:
- Your energy provider refuses to start, continue or restore service without payment.
- Your fuel tank is at or below 10%, and the energy provider refuses to provide more fuel until there’s a payment.
- Your energy provider verifies your cash-only, cash advance or pre-paid account has less than a $25 minimum balance in the account.
- Your energy provider depleted alternative fuel sources (i.e., wood, corn pellets, kerosene, etc.).
- Your energy provider requires a new connection or reconnection fee and security deposit.
- You’ve entered a payment plan with your energy provider to prevent the service cutoff.
Life-threatening energy assistance is also available. You can get medical equipment by showing records by a licensed health professional and an active cutoff order. You can get life-threatening financial help by showing an active cutoff order and temperatures of at least 101 degrees on the day of cutoff. Call (405) 522-5050 or visit the OKDHS website for more information.
It may take up to 48 hours for energy crisis assistance and 18 hours for life-threatening energy assistance after verification.
Public Service Company of Oklahoma programs
You can get a partial refund for certain energy-saving appliances through the PSO rebate program, which gives money back for certain installations. PSO’s Power Hours program also adjusts your temperature by no more than a few degrees during peak demand times, which are usually between June and September from 2 to 7 p.m.
Oklahoma Commerce Weatherization Program
This helps lower-income families afford utility costs and become more energy efficient. You have to meet the following requirements:
- You are at or below 200% of the poverty level. Find the income eligibility here
- You either rent or own a home.
Apply through the Oklahoma Department of Commerce website. Priority is given to people older than 60, high residential energy users and those with a disability, children or high energy burdens.
Cooling Stations
EMSA has already responded to dozens of heat-related calls and transported dozens of patients to local hospitals this summer, according to the City of Tulsa. There are four cooling stations available for people to beat the heat:
- John 3:16 Mission, 506 N. Cheyenne Ave., is open during daylight hours.
- Salvation Army, 102 N. Denver Ave., is open during daylight hours.
- Tulsa Day Center, 415 W. Archer St., is open during daylight hours.
- Tulsa County Social Services, 2401 Charles Page Blvd., is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
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