Clevelanders struggle to get help with utility bills
Federal programs exist, but how easy are they to access?
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How to apply for utility assistance in Cuyahoga and Summit Counties
Dealing with a mounting utility bill or shut-off notice can be scary, and assistance isn’t always accessible. To help make the process less daunting, the Northeast Ohio Solutions Journalism Collaborative (NEO SoJo) compiled some tips from local advocates alongside requirements for assistance programs.
Federal aid arrives for low-income Cuyahoga County residents’ water and sewer bills
Cuyahoga County residents who need help with their water and sewer bills may benefit from a new emergency program, but barriers abound for assistance programs like this.
One in every five Cleveland water accounts fall behind as shutoffs resume
The number of people behind on their water bills in the Cleveland area has tripled during the pandemic. Now, almost one in every four water accounts are behind by at least one bill, as the city has resumed water shutoffs for nonpayment. Everyday people like 63-year-old Janet Gill-Cooks are struggling to pay their utility bills, and to navigate the systems of assistance that are available for utility bills. What can be done about this problem?
Local advocacy groups band together to keep residents’ light, water on
Utilities for All, Sunrise Movement Cleveland and InterReligious Task Force on Central America (IRTF) have joined forces to push for more affordable utility rates and a moratorium on shutoffs from Cleveland Public Power and Cleveland’s Division of Water.
