House of Representatives

State of Tennessee

 

Contact: Kara Watkins (615) 741-1975

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

URGENT UPDATE

 

Dear Friends:

Some of you may have recently received an email stating that the government was offering to pay your electric bill.  That email or any correspondence to that nature is a hoax.

I have spoken directly with the Governor’s office and with the Department of Human Services (DHS), the department that administers the LiHEAP program and following are the details regarding the situations for which energy vouchers are available.

1.         If an individual meets specific income levels that classify the household as low income, energy vouchers are available to assist with energy costs. 

2.         Additionally, if an individual received an air conditioning unit a few months ago under the Governor’s Heat Relief program, that individual may qualify for an energy voucher.  However, the individual’s participating in the Heat Relief program had to meet the same income level classifications as previously mentioned. 

In summary, unless a household meets the income level classification of low income, the household DOES NOT qualify for energy vouchers or to have their electric bill paid by any government program.

If you have any additional questions or need clarification, please do not hesitate to contact my office at 615/741-2804.

Please feel free to forward this information as the original electric memo has received wide circulation and I would welcome your assistance in dispelling the rumor.

Sincerely,

Donna Rowland