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There's no doubt about it, 2020 has been rough.  Even if your home wasn't destroyed by the numerous hurricanes that decided Louisiana was the place to be this summer, and you were able to make it through the year without catching a case of the COVID - you still probably took a hit in the financial department.

Sure, you can cut out a lot of things (bye, bye Netflix), but there are some essentials you and your family just have to have.  Near the top of that list, just behind a place to live and food is electricity.  In our neck of the woods, power companies have been pretty cool about not turning off the juice during the pandemic - but don't think they weren't keeping tabs on what you owe.  It would also be foolish to think that your time to pay wasn't coming soon.

If you are facing an electric bill you just can't tackle, a relatively unknown state program could just throw you a lifeline. The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program is federally funded, and if you qualify - it will pay off that monstrous bill for you.  According to Houma Today, the average amount paid for those who qualify is a whopping $515!  If you are facing disconnection, that number climbs to $600 - and if there is an elderly person living in the home, the program could tack on an additional $100!

What's the catch?  The funds are limited, so the program offers these emergency payments on a first come/first served basis.  To qualify you must make no more than 60% off the state's average income (that makes the ceiling $29,684 per household).  Of course you must fill out some paperwork and schedule a 10-15 minute meeting with officials in charge of the program - but if you're in a bind, this could literally be the light at the end of the tunnel!

You can get your bill paid twice a year if you qualify (3 times if there's a crisis), and the program is reportedly planning to increase the maximum amount it can pay in 2021!  If you are in dire straits and need assistance, check out all of the details on the official Louisiana Housing Corporation's website here.

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