Residents in La Plata Electric Association’s service area who cannot pay their electric bills because of COVID-related economic hardship can now apply for financial assistance from the cooperative.
In March, LPEA’s Board of Directors allocated $50,000 for one-time emergency financial assistance of up to $100 per residential member who is usually self-sufficient but is unable to pay an electric bill because of adverse economic impacts stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Members can submit applications for assistance online at LPEA’s webpage for its COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund.
Hard copy application forms are also available at the drive-thru windows of LPEA’s offices in Durango and Pagosa Springs.
To qualify, applicants must hold an active residential account or sub-account within LPEA’s service territory and must carry a past-due balance. Applicants should have a solid payment history with LPEA before COVID-19 and must provide documentation that their economic hardship is COVID-19 related. Applications are due no later than 5 p.m. Monday.
Insufficient funds are available to help all LPEA members in need or to clear all debt owed the cooperative.
People in arrears with LPEA can call 247-5786 to arrange flexible payment plans on past-due balances to avoid being disconnected.
LPEA also encourages its members to explore other funds available for utility assistance at:
Southwest Colorado Disaster Assistance: swcoda.org.Pine River Shares: pinerivershares.org, 884-6040.Housing Solutions of the Southwest: swhousingsolutions.com, 259-1086.Durango/Bayfield Family Center: lpfcc.org, 385-4747.Low Income Energy Assist: colorado.gov/pacific/cdhs/how-do-i-apply, (866) 432-8435.
