1 week Ago By Anne Ryman
PHOENIX — As temperatures climb, so do utility bills. One non-profit is gearing up after seeing unprecedented demand last summer from people seeking help paying their utility bills. The Phoenix Salvation Army saw a 34% increase in phone calls last year to its utility assistance line because of the record-breaking temperatures.
The program operates year-round, though the summer months are the busiest. “July is a huge month for us,” said Michele Kirkpatrick, manager of the non-profit’s Emergency Assistance Program. Last July, they handled 706 phone calls, up from 409 the same month the previous year.
Call volume was so high that officials had to shut down the line midway through some months. Three caseworkers could handle only so many calls with the available funding. The program helps Phoenix residents who have a financial crisis - such as a job loss - pay utility bills with Salt River Project (SRP), Arizona Public Service (APS) and Southwest Gas.
ABC15 is committed to finding the answers you need and holding those accountable. Submit your news tip to [email protected] “If you are running a paycheck-to-paycheck kind of a budget and say you have a car repair, it's really going to throw your budget off,” Kirkpatrick said.
“And so that’s when you can call us.” Those who apply are asked to prove their financial crisis with documentation. Not everyone qualifies, and funds are limited.
There are also restrictions on how often an individual can receive funds. .
