Mid City Times

In an effort to address the needs of residents facing energy emergencies or crises, a collaboration has been established between several retail energy providers (REPs) and the City of Fort Worth. The Neighbor to Neighbor Program, initiated on January 1, 2017, aims to provide financial assistance for Electric Home Energy Expenses to individuals experiencing difficulties in meeting their energy bills.

"The Neighbor to Neighbor Program is designed to aid needy individuals in paying their Electric Home Energy Expenses," says the program overview.

The participating REPs, including Direct Energy (subsidiary of NRG Energy), CPL Retail Energy, WTU Retail Energy, First Choice Power, and Bounce Energy, have come together with the City of Fort Worth, acting as the Administering Agency under Section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code.

To qualify as a Recipient, individuals must meet specific conditions, including receiving residential electric service from a REP, residing at the service address, and meeting income eligibility criteria not exceeding 200% of the federal poverty guideline limit.

"The Administering Agency has the authority to select Recipients based on qualification, with special cases referred by REPs also considered," explains the program's guidelines.

Funding for the program is provided by the REPs, with the amount determined at their sole discretion. The funds are then allocated to the Administering Agency in two potential bi-annual disbursements occurring by February 28th and August 31st of each calendar year.

"The funds provided to the Administering Agency are intended to assist recipients in paying their Electric Home Energy Expenses," states the program's guidelines.

While the Administering Agency retains an administrative fee of up to 10% of the total annual funding to cover program costs, it is obligated to distribute at least 85% of the total available funds annually. Failure to meet this requirement may result in the termination of the agreement.

"The Neighbor to Neighbor Program is currently active, with the option for annual renewal," assures the article.

This collaborative effort aims to provide crucial assistance to Fort Worth residents facing energy-related challenges, ensuring that those in need receive support to cover their Electric Home Energy Expenses.

"The City of Fort Worth is actively working to enhance the well-being of its residents through a series of impactful initiatives," concludes the article.