Special Assistance Fund for Emergencies (SAFE) - Help Paying Utilities (original) (raw)

PLEASE NOTE: These funds are meant to be used, primarily, for winter months. If you have extenuating circumstances, contact your regional SAFE partners to see what they can do.

The Special Assistance Fund for Emergencies (SAFE) assists individuals and families who are struggling to pay their utility bills due to income limitations or other unusual circumstances with a one-time payment. Previously administered by NV Energy, the SAFE program is now administered by United Way of Northern Nevada and the Sierra (UWNNS) and serves those in need in Northern Nevada. The SAFE program supplements state and federal low-income energy assistance programs. It is intended as a gap-filling effort for individuals who need financial assistance to keep their utilities operating.

UWNNS partners with SAFE Partners throughout Northern Nevada to provide access to this program. Individuals in need of assistance must meet with an identified SAFE Partner to apply for potential utility assistance. SAFE Partners are responsible for verifying eligibility of individuals and providing required documentation to UWNNS for final approval. Once eligibility is approved by UWNNS, funds will be paid directly to the participating utility company in the individuals’ name. A list of participating SAFE Partners and the participating utility companies is available below.

This program is supported with grant funds and community donations. The following organizations have provided significant funding to support this program:

If you would like to donate to SAFE, go to our donation page and select "SAFE - Energy Assistance" from the dropdown under the "Would you like to designate your gift to a particular program?" question.

To qualify for assistance, individuals must:

• Be a customer of record with the utility company for which you are seeking assistance, e.g. NV Energy.
• Utilities must be for the primary residence in Northern Nevada. Second homes or vacation homes are not eligible for support.
• Have a utility bill that is at least 30 days past due.
• Have not received other state or federal low-income energy assistance in the past 12 months.
• Be experiencing a financial hardship that prohibits the ability to otherwise pay the utility bill.

What utilities are currently available?

• NV Energy (both electricity and gas) for individuals in Northern Nevada

Funding is limited and best efforts are made to ensure that funds are distributed in a fair and ethical manner. The SAFE program follows these central guidelines:

• SAFE funds can only be received once during a 12-month period.
• To clarify how bills can be paid using SAFE funds:
  • First Month: Current balance due, or "Current Charges" up to $250.00
  • Second Month: Previous balance due through "Past Due/Balance Forward" up to $250.00
• Your utility bill must be at least 30 days past due before SAFE funds are available.
• You are ineligible to receive SAFE funds if you have been approved for another state or federal low-income energy assistance program in the past 12 months, or if you have a pending application for such a program.
• Individuals in need must apply for assistance through a participating SAFE Partner. SAFE Partners will determine eligibility based on these and additional program guidelines.

Contact a local SAFE Partner to begin the process. The SAFE case managers will discuss eligibility requirements and request submission of required documentation. Initial documentation includes:

• A copy of the most recent utility bill showing the amount due, account number, and due date.
• Individuals will be asked to show photo identification to verify identify and match to utility bill.
• SAFE Partners will work with individuals to complete required application forms.
• SAFE Partners may ask for additional information, including monthly expenses, to establish need.
• If an individual is eligible and funding is available, the SAFE Partner will then forward the application to UWNNS for review and potential payment to the utility company.

Carson City, Lyon, and Storey County

• Friends In Services Helping (FISH)
  138 E. Long St.
  Carson City, NV 89706
  775-882-3474
  https://nvfish.com/

Churchill County

• Churchill County Social Services
  485 W. B St. Ste. 105
  Fallon, NV 89406
  775-423-6695
  https://www.churchillcountynv.gov/171/Social-Services

Douglas County

• Douglas County Social Services
  2300 Meadow Lane
  Gardnerville, NV 89410
  775-782-9825
  https://communityservices.douglascountynv.gov/social_services

Elko County

• Elko County Human Services
  571 Idaho St.
  Elko, NV 89801
  775 738 4375
  https://www.elkocountynv.net/

Humboldt, Lander, and Pershing County

• Community Services Agency (CSA)
  1090 E 8th Street
  Reno NV 89512
  775 786 6023 x1007
  https://csareno.org/program/case-management/

Mineral County

• Consolidated Agencies of Human Services (CAHS)
  924 5th Street
  Hawthorne NV 89415
  775 945 2471
  http://www.cahsnv.org/

Nye County

• Nye County Health and Human Services
  101 Radar Rd
  Tonopah, NV 89049
  775 482-8125
  https://www.nyecountynv.gov/99/Health-Human-Services

Washoe County

• Community Services Agency (CSA)
  1090 E 8th Street
  Reno NV 89512
  775 786 6023 x1007
  https://csareno.org/program/case-management/
• Washoe County School District
  1950 Villanova Dr
  Reno, NV, 89502
  775-204-1408
  Sun Valley Ext #1, Sparks Ext #2, Central Ext #3, North Valleys Ext #4, Hug (Feemster) Ext #5 <www.washoeschools.net >

If you are not eligible for the SAFE program, you may also consider contacting Nevada 211:

• Nevada 211 is a non-emergency number that is available 24/7 throughout the year, regardless of holidays or other closures. Nevada 211 is a statewide resource that can share with you any available resources in your area.
• You can also chat with Nevada 211 or download their app through the webpage
• By visiting https://www.nevada211.org/
• By texting 211
• By calling 2-1-1 or 1-866-535-5654