Help is out there for Missouri families

In Missouri, the Ameren Illinois Utilities are promoting assistance programs for families and individuals who are delinquent on their utility or gas bills during the current economic slowdown. They strongly encourage all of those in need to take advantage of these programs.

The utility companies, which serve the Metro East area as well as much of the rest of Southern Illinois and central Illinois, have various assistance programs and payment plans for those who have been unable to pay all of their utility or heating bills. To establish a payment plan with Ameren or another utility company, customers need to contact their utility company and ask for help.

In addition to the utility companies themselves, various local community action agencies and other charities also offer some relief from high utility bills. Information about those utility bill assistance programs is available by calling 800-252-8643.