Arizona residents struggling to keep up with high cooling bills may have another option for help.
The state-supported Power AZ program offers up to $640 a year to qualifying customers of Arizona Public Service and Salt River Project, with separate one-time aid available for some households facing a crisis.
Here's what to know
Power AZ is aimed at middle-income households in Arizona, including many residents who typically earn too much to qualify for standard utility-aid programs. As KTAR News reported, the program can provide up to $640 per year for APS and SRP customers.
People whose income is at or below the state median may qualify, which amounts to about $4,890 per month for a single person and roughly $9,400 per month for a family of four. APS said some customers facing a financial emergency may also be eligible for an additional one-time $500.
In a release, APS Chief Customer Officer Danielle Evans said the program is intended to reach customers who have often been excluded from similar assistance.
"Power AZ is designed for people who historically have not been able to take advantage of such programs and can help those who are experiencing new, unexpected hardships," Evans said. "Many people may not realize they meet the eligibility requirements because they think they earn too much for bill assistance, but those are precisely the customers this program was created for."
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More background
Power AZ launched in March through a collaboration between Gov. Katie Hobbs and the Arizona Department of Economic Security. State officials said about 30,000 households that do not qualify for federal assistance may still benefit.
Each application submitted for Power AZ is also checked for possible eligibility for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, which serves households at or below 60% of the state median income or at or above 50% of the federal poverty line.
Officials have said the funding could be exhausted by September.
What's being done?
Power AZ applications can be submitted online.
Beyond Power AZ, APS customers may qualify for other forms of assistance. Households dealing with unexpected financial hardship, including reduced income, may be eligible for up to $1,000 per year.
APS customers who can document an unexpected loss of income or rising bills may also be able to receive up to $500 over a year through a partnership with The Salvation Army.
SRP customers have another option as well. The utility and nonprofit Wildfire have a $5 million fund that may provide up to $800 to households grappling with job loss, medical emergencies, or other surprise expenses. Applicants must provide their SRP bill, identification, and paperwork showing the hardship.
In a release, Wildfire Executive Director Kelly McGowan commented on the program.
"No Arizonan should have to choose between cooling their home and paying for food, rent or other basic needs," McGowan said in a release. "Through this partnership with SRP, households facing an unexpected financial setback can receive meaningful relief when they need it most.
"By working with trusted community agencies, we can ensure these resources reach families across the Valley and help them stay safe and cool this summer."
Where can I learn more?
Arizona households looking for help with high power bills may also want a clearer sense of why electricity costs are rising and what other relief options are available. These articles touch on Arizona utility policy and rooftop solar savings that can help trim monthly bills.
• Utility regulators gutted energy efficiency standards that had saved ratepayers $1.7 billion.
• Neighbors joined rooftop solar co-ops, and one summer bill fell from $300 to $5.
• One homeowner cut electric bills to zero before APS added a monthly fee.
For Arizona families weighing Power AZ, the bigger picture matters too. Help can come from emergency aid, but it can also come from policy changes or home energy decisions that lower bills over time.
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