To be considered for assistance through Central Electric Cooperative’s Project Helping Hand, you must meet the following criteria:
- Be a current member of Central Electric Cooperative (CEC).
- You have paid your membership fee and all bills that have included deposits or deposit installments.
- Submit a completed Project Helping Hand application with a detailed explanation of the situation requiring assistance.
- You must be applying for assistance with your electric bill at your current residence. Project Helping Hand funds will not be applied to non-residential accounts, closed accounts, or uncollectable balances owed.
- If your service was disconnected due to non-payment, Project Helping Hand funds may be applied, however, you must pay the remaining outstanding balance and any related reconnection fees prior to reconnection.
- You are not eligible for Project Helping Hand assistance if you have received Neighbor Impact assistance in the last 12 months, unless:
- You are currently unemployed
- You have children under the age of six in your home
- You are a senior member (over 60 years of age)
- You have submitted a current Medical Necessity Certificate and it has been approved by CEC
- Members approved for Project Helping Hand assistance are not eligible to apply again for the next 12 consecutive months.
A CEC customer service representative will review the Project Helping Hand application, provide a cover sheet, and then it will be submitted to a committee of four CEC employees for approval consideration. In case of a tie, a fifth Helping Hand committee member will cast the deciding vote.