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GPSC releases publication about senior discounts

As posted on November 10, 2008 on www.forest-blade.com with minor editing

by Marnie Dekle

The Georgia Public Service Commission has released information on discounts for seniors on their telephone, electric and natural gas bills. The following information is found at psc.state.ga.us. 

The GPSC wants to ensure that eligible senior citizens are aware that they can save money by using a "senior citizen discount" and/or "lifeline assistance" on their gas, electric, and telephone bills. What follows are the criteria for qualifying for these discounts.

TELEPHONE

You can receive a credit up to $13.50 on your local monthly telephone bill if you have the following: Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Food Stamps, Medicaid, or a senior citizen discount offered by the local gas or power company. This discount comes from a program called "Lifeline Assistance Program." Please call your local telephone company or the Public Service Commission at 1-800-282-5813. For internet users the Lifeline Assistance Program information is located at http://www.psc.state.ga.us/consumer_corner/cc_advisory/payassist.asp.

INVESTOR-OWNED ELECTRIC

If you are a customer of Georgia Power Company, 65 years of age or older, and have a household income of $14,355 or less per year, then you qualify to receive a senior-citizen’s discount. The discount of $14.00 is applied to the customer’s pre-fuel monthly bill amount. If you are a customer of the Savannah Electric and Power Company, you must be 65 years of age or older and have a household income of $14,000 or less per year to receive the discount. A discount of $10.50 is applied to the customer’s pre-fuel monthly bill amount. Additionally, the establishment charge of $22.00 is waived for seniors who qualify to receive the senior-citizen’s discount. For both companies, the electric service must be individually metered and in the senior’s name. Call Georgia Power at (404) 506-6526 or Savannah Electric at 1-800-437-3890.

For internet users the application for Georgia Power Senior Discount is located at http://www.psc.state.ga.us/consumer_corner/GP-senior_discount_app.pdf

INVESTOR-OWNED NATURAL GAS

Customers of the Atlanta Gas Light Company who have a total household income of $14,355 or less and are 65 years of age or older qualify to receive a credit to their bill. The $14.00 credit will be applied to the base charge portion of the bill which must be in the name of the eligible senior. Atmos Energy customers over the age of 65 with a total household income of $12,000 or less per year are eligible to receive a waiver of the monthly customer charge currently ($7.00). Atmos Energy serves the areas of Columbus and Gainesville. Contact Atlanta Gas Light Company at 1-877-472-4932 and Atmos Energy at 1-800-621-1867. For internet users the AGL Senior Discount Application is located here: http://www.psc.state.ga.us/consumer_corner/AGL-senior_discount_app.pdf

If you have not signed up for the senior discounts, you are encouraged to contact your service provider(s) to enroll! If you require more assistance, additional funds may be available through the Salvation Army.

For more information contact the Candler County Extension at 685-2408 or the Emanuel County Extension at 237-1226.