United Religious Community’s
Advocacy Center

DOLLAR ENERGY PROGRAM
UPDATED SEPTEMBER, 2024

The Dollar Energy program is temporarily paused; watch for news of the Heating Season period to come later in 2024.

Background:

The URC’s Advocacy Center works with the Dollar Energy organization to provide help to Indiana-Michigan (AEP) clients in St. Joseph County facing electrical disconnections. Here are key points:

  • Assistance maximum is $250 and is available one time per cycle (generally November to October);

  • To be eligible, the client must be able to come up with enough payment to avoid a disconnection when combined with Dollar Energy help;

  • URC must collect proof of income for the prior 30 days (paystubs, proof of benefits, etc.)

For more info, or to apply, email urcsjc@gmail.com, or find the application online here.

For more on the Dollar Energy program, please visit www.dollarenergy.org.

ADVOCACY CENTER SERVICES/REMOTE ASSISTANCE

The Advocacy Center is not a drop in location; under certain circumstances, appointments may be made for in-person visits; see below:

 
 

How to reach us

  • Best way is our email: urcsjc@gmail.com

  • Phone message: 574-282-2397 x2

  • Fax: 574-282-8014

Assistance information

“Regular” assistance, when available, is limited to:

  • Rent or housing payments, with funds from the Emergency Food and Shelter Program and private donations

  • Identification, such as birth certificates when referred by a social services agency

  • URC does not provide gas cards

  • Services beyond these basics are on a case-by-case basis.

Information we will need in order to assist:

  • Identification (driver’s license, state-issued ID, South Bend resident ID, passport or other such identification)

  • A copy of the billing for the account, if the request is for utility assistance OR account number

  • Income verification

For help with housing costs:

  • Information showing your income (this may be a combination of employment [pay stub], benefits income [Social Security, SSI, etc.] and/or state assistance information [TANF, Food Stamps/SNAP])