Douglas County to give out $2 million in assistance for utilities Share Updated: 10:51 PM CST Feb 22, 2021 Share Updated: 10:51 PM CST Feb 22, 2021 Hide Transcript Show Transcript QUINISIA FRAZIER EXPLAINS HOW YOU CAN APPLY FOR THAT MONEY. DOUGLAS COUNTY APPROVED THAT TWO MILLION DOLLARS IN FUNDING LAST MONTH RESIDENTS IN NEED CAN APPLY FOR THOSE FUNDS STARTING TODAY FOR MUD AND OPPD REQUESTS FOR FINANCIAL HELP INCREASE BY ABOUT 38 PERCENT SINCE THE PANDEMIC STARTED. WE HAVE TWO INCOME FAMILIES FOR THE FIRST TIME. THEY’RE ON A ONE INCOME NOW ELIGIBLE CUSTOMERS CAN GET CREDIT FOR BOTH THEIR MUD AND OPPD UTILITY BILLS $500. DOLLARS EACH OR $1,000 IN TOTAL IF YOU NEED HELP WITH MUD AND WITH OPPD, IT IS A SEPARATE APPLICATION, BUT IT’S THROUGH THE SAME EXACT WEBSITE MUD CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE MANAGER MEGAN MURRAY AND OPPD PRODUCT SPECIALIST. BRITAIN GABLE. SAY THE MONEY COMES FROM OPPD’S DOLLAR ENERGY FUND AND OTHER LOCAL AGENCIES NOT THE CARES ACT PROGRAM. WHAT’S THAT PROGRAM ENDED? WE KNEW WE NEEDED TO CONTINUE TO WORK. TO SECURE ADDITIONAL FUNDING A NEW PROGRAMMING FOR OUR CUSTOMERS TO CONTINUE TO MEET THIS NEED TO QUALIFY. YOUR INCOME HAS TO BE AT 300% OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL. SO FOR A FAMILY OF FOUR, THAT WOULD BE UNDER $80,000 A YEAR AND THE REASON YOU NEED HELP WITH UTILITIES MUST BE PANDEMIC RELATED. SO PEOPLE THAT HAVE NEVER REQUESTED ASSISTANCE IN THEIR ENTIRE LIFE ARE NOW STRUGGLING WITH THIS CUSTOMERS IN NEED CAN APPLY ONLINE. YOU’LL NEED TO HAVE 30 DAYS WORTH OF COME VERIFICATION AND A COPY OF UTILITY BILL FROM MUD OR OPPD OR VERY VERY THANKFUL THAT THIS MONEY IS AVAILABLE FROM DOUGLAS COUNTY. SO IT SHOULD IT SHOULD HELP OUT A LOT OF CUSTOMERS THE MONEY FROM THE PROGRAM IS A ONE-TIME BENEFIT, BUT GABLE SAYS, IT WON’T ONLY APPLY TO YOUR PAST DUE AMOUNT. SO LET’S SAY YOU’RE YOU’RE UNABLE TO PAY YOUR CURRENT BILL, WHICH IS 250 DOLLARS. YOU’RE GONNA GET $500 CREDITED TO YOUR ACCOUNT IF YOU DON’T HAVE INTERNET ACCESS OR A COMPUTER. YOU CAN CALL 188-650-9132 HAVE THE LINKS TO WHERE YOU CAN SIGN UP IN THIS STORY ON KETV.