The Alabama Business Charitable Trust Fund, Inc. (ABC) contracts with CSP to administer two energy assistance programs, the Emergency Cooling Assistance (ECA) program and the Emergency Energy Assistance (EEA) program. The primary purpose of these programs is to pay energy bills of needy Alabamians living in central and south Alabama.

Emergency Cooling Assistance (ECA)

Provides assistance with electric utility bills during the cooling season (June-October) to income eligible households that have a health emergency.

A health emergency is defined as special risk of heat stress, need for cooling for a health condition, necessity of electrical life-support equipment or other electrical equipment needed for health conditions. This condition must by verified by a signed statement from the client’s physician, nurse or medical professional.

Emergency Energy Assistance (EEA)

Provides assistance with energy bills, any time of the year (providing funding is available), to those who have had their income interrupted, such as the recently unemployed; people who have become ill or injured and suffered a partial or total loss of income; and people experiencing an unforeseen financial crisis.

Persons who are 60 years of age or older and meet the income criteria, qualify for assistance from both programs, when funding is available.  .

Amount of Payment

Payments will be limited to the minimum amount necessary to relieve the emergency, up to $275 per calendar year. If qualified, applicants may receive assistance awards no more than 3 times annually from either or both programs combined; however, the total annual amount may not exceed $275.

Method of Payment

All payments will be in the form of vendor payments made directly to participating fuel suppliers. No payments will be made directly to a household. Eligible households will be notified when a payment is made on their behalf. The amount of assistance may not always be enough to cover the household’s full bill. The individual household will be responsible for paying any balance.

Emergency Cooling Assistance 

Provides assistance with electric utility bills during the cooling season (June-October) to low-income households that have health emergencies or other circumstances that would be severely aggravated by an interruption in electrical service.

A health emergency is defined as:

• Special risk of heat stress.
• Need of cooling for health condition.
• Necessity of electrical life- support equipment or other electrical equipment needed for a health condition.

The health emergency must be verified by a letter from a medical professional.

Persons who are 60 years of age or older and who meet the income requirements (no proof of medical condition)

EMERGENCY ENERGY ASSISTANCE:  Provides assistance with energy bills during anytime of the year to applicants who qualify for this fund. This program is intended for :

• Those who have their income interrupted, such as recently unemployment
• People who have become ill or injured and suffered a partial or total loss of income.
• People experiencing an unforeseen financial crisis.

Persons who are 60 years of age or older and who meet the income requirements (no proof of unforeseen financial crisis during previous month)

*Maximum assistance is $275