Spreading the Word
Low-income customers receive assistance through APS programs

Sometimes the people who need the most assistance are in a difficult position to know that help is available to them.

To help raise awareness of APS' low-income assistance programs and efforts among social service agencies that interact daily with our mutual, low-income clients, APS hosted eight Low-Income Summits in key locations throughout the state in 2007, compared to six that were held in 2006 when the program began.

APS' Low-Income Summits are designed to offer representatives of human service agencies information about APS programs that can help expedite and increase assistance to low-income customers.

Community leaders welcome these summits, with 177 social service agency representatives - representing a minimum of 114 social service agencies - attending an APS Low Income Summit in 2007. In fact, most major social service agencies in Arizona have attended an APS summit, and some have even co-hosted them with APS.

During the summits, attendees learn how low-income customers may be eligible to receive a discount on their electric bill through the APS Energy Support Program (E-3) or Medical Care Equipment Program (E-4).

E-3 and E-4 offer discounts up to 40 percent off the cost of electricity for customers who meet certain income guidelines. The income guidelines are based on 150 percent of the federal poverty guidelines as determined by the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) and changed every July 1. The lower the amount of energy used, the greater the discount.

To sign up for the Energy Support Program, customers must fill out an application (available at all APS offices and Community Action Program offices) and mail it back to DES. The DES address is on the application form. Enrollment in this program does not affect any other benefits the client may be receiving from DES. APS also offers agencies that administer federal low-income energy support funds (LIHEAP) the ability to electronically request enrollment for eligible APS customers.

Attendees also learn about APS' Energy Wise Weatherization Program, which is administered in conjunction with eight community action agencies around the state to weatherize the homes of low-income customers. The program is approved by the Arizona Corporation Commission and is paid for by APS customers.

The weatherization program was established to help low-income families and individuals decrease their home energy costs and to be attentive to energy-related health and safety issues in the home. The funding from this program typically is leveraged with other funding sources from weatherization programs such as the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, which is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Through APS Low-Income Summits, APS also reaches out to low-income customers directly. During its "Change a Light, Change the World" event held at the Steele Commons housing complex in Phoenix, APS and community leaders were on hand to lend support to the increased use of compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs).

Because CFLs use 75 percent less energy than other bulbs, they can save customers about $30 per bulb, over the life of the bulb. This is especially helpful to low-income families and individuals.

To make the program more widespread, APS has partnered with local retailers to offer discounts on compact fluorescent lighting. Under APS' Energy Efficient Lighting Program, APS has sold more than 4.5 million CFLs, which will result in savings of 1.3 billion kilowatt-hours of energy, or enough energy to power 95,000 homes for a year; avoid 1.7 billion pounds of carbon emissions and will help save customers more than $120 million in energy savings.

For more information about CFLs and APS' low-income assistance programs, customers may visit aps.com or contact their local community action agencies. The program is approved by the Arizona Corporation Commission and is funded by APS customers.

"Community Action Human Resources Agency (CAHRA) is fortunate to have such a wonderful partner in APS," said CAHRA Executive Director Mary Lou Rosales. "APS has provided funding for weatherization services and bill assistance to the low-income and disadvantaged of Pinal County.

This year they were a major partner in a project with CAHRA and Pinal County Division of Housing where 30 low-income housing units were weatherized using APS funding. Residents of the units already have reported feeling warmer and have seen a savings in their utility bills due to the work performed on their homes."