Atlanta Gas Light company has given $60,000 in grant money to seniors with past due balances.
The grants were given through its Senior Citizen Discount Program, nearly doubling the amount first given in 2020, according to a corporate press release.
A portion of the money was also allocated to The Salvation Army’s SHARE program and will be distributed through other certified natural gas marketers, such as Gas South, which is owned by Atlanta Gas Light Company.
The grants were dispersed to 110 eligible customers.
Atlanta Gas Light President Pedro Cherry says his company is sensitive to the fact that seniors are disproportionately affected by the recent onset of inflation since they live on a fixed income.
“At Atlanta Gas Light, we recognize the extraordinary burden our customers have faced with inflation and have worked incredibly hard to expand our bill payment assistance capabilities because all our customers deserve reliable and affordable natural gas,” Cherry said.
The grant money can only be used to pay past due balances.
According to spokesperson Alicia Young, seniors who were already entered into the Senior Citizen Discount Program were the only ones qualified for the grants.
However, all seniors in the state of Georgia can apply for the program.
According to the press release, “Customers 65 years of age or older who have a total annual combined household income of 200% of the Federal Poverty Level ($29,160) or less may qualify for the program. The program provides a monthly discount of up to $14 off the Atlanta Gas Light base charge. Natural gas service must be in the applicant’s name to be eligible for the discount.”
For more information on the Senior Citizen Discount Program, please visit: atlantagaslight.com/residential/ways-to-save
Scott Hudson is the Senior Investigative Reporter and Editorial Page Editor for The Augusta Press. Reach him at scott@theaugustapress.com
