Utility Assistance
The Salvation Army offers utility assistance throughout the State of Michigan and Northern Indiana. Over 130 caseworkers, serving at more than 100 service locations, help families and individuals pay their utility bills in order to get through emergency crisis. In-person requests are received throughout the year during normal weekday hours, as well as telephone inquiries and referrals from other human service agencies.
The Salvation Army recognizes that a request for help with a utility shut off often involves a complex set of circumstances. For this reason, each applicant receives much more than the processing of his or her paperwork. Through a one-to-one interview, the Salvation Army caseworker aims to identify the often multiple factors contributing to the household’s emergency situation and provide other forms of assistance, referrals, budget counseling, and emotional support as necessary. This holistic approach of meeting need wherever it is found allows The Salvation Army to help in a way that reduces the likelihood of future crisis, and, in many cases, prevents homelessness.
