Utah Red Cross Assistance With Utility Bills

Utilities Casework Coordinator: Pam Douglas 801-627-0000

Main Office: 2955 Harrison Boulevard Suite 204, Ogden, UT  84403 : (801) 627-0000

To print off a utiltity assistance application please Click here

What are the REACH and Lend-A-Hand programs?

These are the names of the utility assistance programs administered by the American Red Cross to aid customers of Questar Gas and Rocky Mountain Power. The program names show Utahns' willingness to help their neighbors in need. REACH stands for Residential Energy Assistance through Community Help.

The purpose of these utility programs is to provide limited emergency financial assistance to people who are experiencing difficulty paying utility obligations. Assistance is not intended to relieve the client/family of their responsibilities and obligations, but is meant to assist them while they develop a practical plan for meeting their own needs.

What are the Eligibility Requirements for REACH and Lend-A-Hand?

You must be low income and have someone in the household that is age 60 or over, OR have a permanent or temporary disability. The utility bill(s) must be in the name of a household member and have a past due amount. A disability verification can be a social security or doctor's statement that a client cannot work due to illness, accident, or injury for 90 days or longer.

What Utility bills can receive assistance?

Questar Gas and Rocky Mountain Power are the only utilities that qualify for assistance.

How often can I receive assistance?

You can receive assistance with each utility only once every fiscal year. The fiscal year of the American Red Cross begins July 1st and ends June 30th.

What if my Utilities are shut off?

Accounts that are closed can not receive assistance. Accounts that are shut off but not closed can receive assistance.

What Do I need to bring to my Appointment?

You will need to bring all of the following:

1. IDENTIFICATION - Picture ID and Social Security Cards for applicant.
2. SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS - of each person living in the household Birth certificate, Medicaid card, court documents, school certification, etc
3. INCOME VERIFICATION - For previous calendar month for ALL household members. Example: Pay check stubs, SSI, AFDC, and general assistance print outs.
4. Utility Bills - Most recent bills
5. DISABILITY VERIFICATION - May include Social Security Verification or a doctor's statement.
6. HEAT - Eligibility verification when available.

What other Utility Assistance programs are available?

There is the HEAT Energy Assistance Program and the HEAT Crisis Intervention Assistance. HEAT Crisis is available all year long but is only for those with an energy emergency such as a 48 hour shutoff notice, or a utility shut off.

How do I contact these programs?

The phone number for the HEAT Program is (801) 394-9774.

Can I receive assistance from HEAT as well as the Red Cross?

You can go to both programs. The HEAT Program and the American Red Cross are separate agencies.

Remember you MUST go to the HEAT Program during the winter months, between November and April, before coming to the American Red Cross.

Utility Assistance Programs are funded from:

1. Voluntary contributions from local residents through tax deductible donations which they include with their utility payments.
2. Donations, sent directly to the American Red Cross for the Utility Assistance Program.
3. Donations from the utility companies, their employees and stockholders.

These donations are forwarded to the American Red Cross for distribution.

Eligibility criteria are established in coordination with the American Red Cross Utility Advisory Committee, a special group consisting of representatives from local humanitarian groups, community organizations and businesses.