Hoping to offer relief for high electric bills, the Sedalia Salvation Army has partnered with Evergy in a program designed to help struggling customers.
Magen Hudson, the Salvation Army service coordinator, said the Evergy Economic Relief Pilot Program (ERPP) is offering qualified Evergy customers a credit each month for 12 months.
Hudson said there’s been some confusion but noted the program is only for Evergy customers, not Central Missouri Electric customers. Although if non-Evergy customers need help with their utility bills, the Salvation Army can provide some assistance.
“There isn’t a program that we have in place right now, for (Central Missouri Electric customers),” she noted. “But, they are welcome to call and see if we can help out with assistance.”
Hudson said the Evergy pilot program is income-based.
“It is based on their previous usage, so, most clients will receive a $50 to $65 credit once they’re approved,” she added. “The poverty guidelines are at 200% or below, so there’s an even bigger threshold there to allow for income. A lot of people will qualify who might not think they would.”
The program has been offered for several years and is a year-round program.
“It was with KCP&L and it transferred over to Evergy,” Hudson explained. “Sometimes money is limited, so it will close. But most of the time it is open year-round to sign-up.”
To sign up for the program, Hudson said to contact the local Salvation Army and an application can either be mailed or emailed to the customer. Or they can drop by the office to pick up an application.
“There’s also a way to print it online from Evergy’s website,” she added. “It’s a four-page application, but we just need the first page completed.”
She added the application is simple. One will need a photo ID for the bill holder, the most recent Evergy bill and proof of income for the entire household.
“The customer would get all the information together and turn that back into us here locally,” she noted. “Either by mail, email or in person.
“We review the income portion then we fax it off to Evergy for them to review the account details,” she continued. “If anyone has been disconnected due to fraud, tampering or any type of mishandling of their services they will not be approved for this program.”
To be approved for the program the customer’s account has to be up to date on payments and in good standing.
“If you have a past due balance, that will have to be handled, before you sign up,” Hudson said. “But it’s definitely worth it, because that $65 a month, comes out to almost $800 a year. It really takes the pressure off some household essentials people need.”
Hudson said the program is a statewide program.
“We probably have close to 300 Pettis County clients in our area that are signed up for the program, and actively on it right now,” she added. “Most people do get approved. The income guidelines are so wide that a lot of households will get approved for this.
“It’s a great opportunity for people to take some pressure off those bills especially with COVID,” she continued. “Especially with this winter we’ve had.”
If one gets approved, the credit will show up on their Evergy bill. If they do not get approved, they will receive a letter stating why.
“We don’t make the final decision here, we’re just a sign-up location,” Hudson said.
For more information about the Sedalia Salvation Army/Evergy Economic Relief Pilot Program, call 660-826-1525, email Hudson at Magen.Hudson@usc.salvationarmy.org or visit the Salvation Army from 10 a.m. to noon on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 1200 E. Broadway Blvd.
