Tulsa Utility Aid assistance program

During the hot Tulsa Oklahoma summer months, struggling families can get help paying their utility bills from Tulsa Utility Aid. Most of assistance is for seniors, the disabled, or the sick who would have their health at risk during the summer. There may also be help paying cooling or air conditioning bills given to low income families.

Tulsa Utility Aid is a community initiative. There are several charities as well as utility companies that work together to run this service. They include the Public Service Company of Oklahoma, Salvation Army, Oklahoma Natural Gas, Catholic Charities, the Beat the Heat program, the city of Tulsa as well as others.

Keep families safe and housed

There are two main goals of Tulsa Utility Aid. They include to keep families cool, safe, and healthy during the hot and humid Tulsa summer months, ranging from May to September. Most of the financial help is paid out during the hottest period/months, including July as well as August. The other goal is to keep families in their home, as some low income families could in fact be evicted if they do not pay their utility bills on time.

Not only that, but part of what Beat the Heat involves is to pay for the expenses to operate warn weather shelters for the homeless. Or anyone else in need. People can go to cooling centers across Tulsa to get out of the heat. They can also get a meal, cool drink, or maybe even a free bow window fan to keep their home cool.

Applying and donating to Tulsa Utility Aid

The program is paid for using donations from the community as well as matching contributions from Oklahoma Natural Gas as well as the Public Service Company of Oklahoma. Other utility providers may also donate to this utility bill assistance program and charities may also contribute too, including the Salvation Army.

 

 

Donations – People can text a code to Tulsa Utility Aid to donate. Call the Salvation Army to get details on the process. Or the Salvation Army will also accept funds as well as donations. The last way to give back to this financial assistance program is to donate on a one-time basis, and note the “Tulsa Utility Aid” program on the bills. In general, tens of thousands of dollars are raised each year, often between 50 to 100K per year.

Applications – Note the funds are limited as noted above. When applying for energy bill assistance during the summer (or even year round) call the Salvation Army in Tulsa at 918-587-7801.

Most of the funds from Tulsa Utility Aid go to help low income families. A focus is also on those who are most at risk during the hot summer months. This means senior citizens, the physically or mentally disabled, families with young children, and those living in poverty.  They will be at risk and often need to stay cool during the summer, so funds go to pay cooling, air conditioning, as well as electric bills.

The Salvation Army is the major partner organization of Tulsa Utility Aid. To apply or get more information, call 918-587-7801.