Help with OUC Electricity Bill
There are basically two companies that provide Orlando, and the Orlando Metropolitan area with power: Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC), and Progress Energy.
Generally, OUC serves residents in within the city limits, and Progress Energy serves residents outside of the city limits, but who still reside in Orange County.
The Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC) provides an Orlando utility bill assistance program called Project Care.
If you live in Orlando, and you are within the OUC service area, Project Care can help you with up to $500 in utility bill payment assistance.
Eligibility
In order to receive the funds, you will have had to have experienced an emergency event (crisis) that triggered your inability to pay your light bill.
Some example of emergency events include:
- You lost your job
- Your car broke down and you had an expensive repair bill
- Your child got sick and you had to miss a substantial amount of work days
They just want to make sure that you simply decided to skip work because you were bored, or you decided to go out of town and party with your utility bill money...
Where the Funds Come from & How to Apply
OUC's Project Care receives the funds to provide bill payment assistance through donations from its customers.
A family or individual does not necessarily have to have low income to receive help, but it usually works out that way because financially stable people do not live from paycheck to paycheck - they usually have the funds they need when an emergency arises.
In order to apply for the Orlando Utility bill assistance program, you will need to contact Central Florida United Way by dialing (2.1.1.) from any touchtone phone within the Central Florida dialing area (407 & 321).
United Way 211 is a free call and a free service, they are there, 24 hours a day, to get you connected to local crisis assistance programs.
Give Back
Once you get back up on your feet, you should show your appreciation by giving back to the organization that gave to you in your time of need.
An easy way to donate, is to have your electric bill rounded up to the nearest dollar each month - OUC will provide your excess funds to the United Way, who will in turn, use the funds to help out others who need utility bill assistance.
