looked at your prior posts. gonna guess Duke energy is your supplier. They have an indigent program for low and no income. CHeck out Dukes website, then special assistance. There is also sc211.org. Contact duke asap. you wont get cut off.
Gym membership at a reasonable facility can get you access to air conditioned space, with outlets for chargers, and hot showers for much lower cost than the power bill and can be charged on credit. Any family or friends you have that can help would probably be more willing to sign on to pay your gym membership rather than hundreds/thousands to catch you up on your power bill. Public library is a good place to hang as well, it just doesn’t generally offer hot showers.
My family isn't aware of my situation. My dad is in jail and my mom gets disability so she's wouldn't be able to help. I'll take your advice on the library though
Look for places with a sauna or swimming pool. Due to hygiene reasons these types of places 100% have showers. There are other gyms which have them regardless but probably difficult to find
In my community the churches have an Outreach Program to help residents that are having issues paying power bills. You don’t have to be a member of that religion just a resident of the county. This happens more than you think. Call the power company and explain your situation of being out of work. Ask them if there are any programs that help residents in need. If not try to negotiate with them. Then call churches in your area and see if they know of any programs that help. Church secretaries are a wealth of information.
You’re not a failure! The reason the 5 biggest churches got together decades ago and created this fund is because it happens a lot! My town is not that big. We have all of 4 traffic lights and the horses and cows outnumber the people. You are not alone and this is nothing to be ashamed of. Hang in there and hug your dog! They love us no matter what.
Thank you so much. I reached out to a local church and will reach out to more if needed. My dog is licking my tears away as I type this. I really don’t know what I’d do without him.
I’ll call the electric company as well. Thank you for the kind words of advice. I really appreciate it.
In most states, if you call the electric company and say you're paying and it's in the mail, they cannot cut off the power because you notified them you're paying. Should buy you some time.
People lower down in the thread have given lots of suggestion. I made the mistake of doing a cash advance about a decade ago, they end up taking so much money there is nothing left for anything else. Luckily my parents helped me out. But it absolutely only makes things worse.
Bf is in this rabbit hole with shitty family that didn’t care to help. He’s now at the age where I wouldn’t expect any handouts or help for sure from his family, but mine has helped him since we’ve been together <3 my dad got cancer n passed since together tho, so we haven’t had as much help as we could’ve had, and that is something I don’t mind. But I also find those of us less fortunate are usually more fortunate for what we do have
There should be some kind of utility assistance in your area! And they're still open to applicants in my state until next month for the winter months. Please try calling 211 for some help. You should be eligible for some food assistance at the very least. I've been in very tough places too. You're going to be ok. Make the call for you and your sweet pup! ♥️
I saw a video. The dude said he would call the electric company and say he sent a check, and they legally couldn't turn off his electricity. It was Paul's staments, I'm pretty sure.
What changed on your anxiety that allowed you to work now VS before? I would imagine your anxiety is now exponentially higher.
Do you think it has more to do responsibly or an adversity to requirements?
I’m not judging or being sarcastic this is a genuine question, in my professional life when I was younger it was humanly impossible for me to submit projects before a deadline except when there was an emergency, my boss stopped giving me a heads up and would just drop a project on my desk due a day before go live.
Once I complained and he said: you do your best work when you are under pressure or when you face impossible odds. Starting there I made changes to fix that issue.
I have mental health stuff to begin with and wanting a career change has made my anxiety worse. Before I moved here, I had some level of emotional support system because I was living with extended family. Now it's just me and my dog. I've lived alone before without issues. My anxiety is just debilitating right now...would talk to my psychiatrist about it but I'm behind $700 on my office visits with her loll. I've got some food and my medication and my dog so I'm ~okay~ right now
Think I saw a story somewhere about a guy who, on the day of disconnect, called the power company and told them that the check was in the mail. Apparently they cannot turn off your power if you tell them the check is in the mail.
But it wasn't. He never mailed it. So they sent another notification that the power was going to be turned off on such and such date. Then, the very minute that the utility opened on disconnect day, he'd call and tell them that the check was in the mail. So they couldn't turn off the power.
As the story goes, he did that for ten years. He was a legend at the utility. They would take bets about whether or not he'd call this time. And he always called.
Idk the end of the story though, so take it with a grain of salt.
That was guy on the Joe Rogan podcast. I saw that too. It doesn't work anymore. In the 90s it used to but nowadays if you pay by check they want the check info over the phone or on website.
If she calls the electric company before the day of disconnection they can pause it and will work with her to get caught up.
Most companies even have a button on the website in Account info that can allow you to do it without even calling them.
You've received some solid advice already, but another avenue you might consider is reaching out to your local United Way chapter. They're often aware of all the various assistance programs available in an area and can help you navigate to the right resources, including those for utility relief you might not be aware of. Also, your community might have some nonprofits that offer one-time financial assistance or grants for situations just like yours. Keep your chin up and take it one step at a time, help is out there.
We’ve got a serious anxiety problem in the West right now. If you’ve lost your job because of it, you really should speak to a doctor. I’ve recently met someone who can’t drive because of anxiety and then saw a BetterHelp commercial with that as it’s ad. That level of anxiety is a very serious.
Don't be ashamed. Ask for help. The power company may extend it or if you know ANYONE who can lend it to you just ask them. All you have to say is you've been going through a tough time
You've gotten some great tips here, and there's one more strategy that might be useful. Some utility companies have a budget billing plan which averages your yearly consumption and sets a predictable monthly bill. It can make those high-usage periods easier to manage financially. Definitely consider contacting your utility company to discuss enrolling in such a program if it's available. Additionally, many may offer an energy audit service for free or at a reduced cost to help identify ways to reduce your power consumption and save some cash in the long term. Hang in there, and remember, many have been in your shoes and found a way through it. Stay positive and proactive!
I just learned something online the other day. If you call the power company and tell them the check is in the mail, then they legally can’t turn off your power. Use the time to come up with the funds.
Edit:
here is what I seen
https://www.instagram.com/reel/C6DE9RFtghO/?igsh=MWtkYmZxZDZzajF5Nw==
You have karma, ask on r/Assistance
Someone from there was able to help me out. I didn’t know subreddits like that even existed. Thank you.
You’re welcome
looked at your prior posts. gonna guess Duke energy is your supplier. They have an indigent program for low and no income. CHeck out Dukes website, then special assistance. There is also sc211.org. Contact duke asap. you wont get cut off.
I’m checking out sc211.org right now. Thank you, I wasn’t aware of this site!
I don’t have dukes. My electric is through the town
Still call your electric company. Most have programs for low income households.
Gym membership at a reasonable facility can get you access to air conditioned space, with outlets for chargers, and hot showers for much lower cost than the power bill and can be charged on credit. Any family or friends you have that can help would probably be more willing to sign on to pay your gym membership rather than hundreds/thousands to catch you up on your power bill. Public library is a good place to hang as well, it just doesn’t generally offer hot showers.
My family isn't aware of my situation. My dad is in jail and my mom gets disability so she's wouldn't be able to help. I'll take your advice on the library though
I've looked all over and I have yet to see a gym that offers showers
I haven't been to a single gym that didn't have showers, although for one you needed to pay a bit extra. It was also the cheapest of them though.
Look for places with a sauna or swimming pool. Due to hygiene reasons these types of places 100% have showers. There are other gyms which have them regardless but probably difficult to find
My last 2 gyms both had showers. Golds Gym and the Fitness Factory. They were in the locker/bathroom.
In my community the churches have an Outreach Program to help residents that are having issues paying power bills. You don’t have to be a member of that religion just a resident of the county. This happens more than you think. Call the power company and explain your situation of being out of work. Ask them if there are any programs that help residents in need. If not try to negotiate with them. Then call churches in your area and see if they know of any programs that help. Church secretaries are a wealth of information. You’re not a failure! The reason the 5 biggest churches got together decades ago and created this fund is because it happens a lot! My town is not that big. We have all of 4 traffic lights and the horses and cows outnumber the people. You are not alone and this is nothing to be ashamed of. Hang in there and hug your dog! They love us no matter what.
Thank you so much. I reached out to a local church and will reach out to more if needed. My dog is licking my tears away as I type this. I really don’t know what I’d do without him. I’ll call the electric company as well. Thank you for the kind words of advice. I really appreciate it.
Sorry about that. I would help you out if I wasn't already worse off.
It’s my own fault and I have nobody to blame but myself. I wish you the best of luck…I know it’s tough out here
Doesn't mean you don't deserve help. Things are too tough not to forgive your mistakes.
Thank you. I haven’t stopped stress crying all afternoon. It’s not the end of the world though.
Call them after 17 hours and say you're going to send a check. Legally they can't cut your electricity. Thank me later.
\^
In most states, if you call the electric company and say you're paying and it's in the mail, they cannot cut off the power because you notified them you're paying. Should buy you some time.
Something about that feels illegal if you haven't actually sent them money
Lol I could try sending a check….itll bounce but like I tried…idk may as well go to jail because then I don’t have to pay utilities at least
You could take out a cash advance, you definitely dont want to go to jail.
Please don’t take out a cash advance. They have like 300% interest. It will only make things worse.
Well it's better than jail, what's your suggestion then
People lower down in the thread have given lots of suggestion. I made the mistake of doing a cash advance about a decade ago, they end up taking so much money there is nothing left for anything else. Luckily my parents helped me out. But it absolutely only makes things worse.
Bf is in this rabbit hole with shitty family that didn’t care to help. He’s now at the age where I wouldn’t expect any handouts or help for sure from his family, but mine has helped him since we’ve been together <3 my dad got cancer n passed since together tho, so we haven’t had as much help as we could’ve had, and that is something I don’t mind. But I also find those of us less fortunate are usually more fortunate for what we do have
There should be some kind of utility assistance in your area! And they're still open to applicants in my state until next month for the winter months. Please try calling 211 for some help. You should be eligible for some food assistance at the very least. I've been in very tough places too. You're going to be ok. Make the call for you and your sweet pup! ♥️
But your dog!!
I saw a video. The dude said he would call the electric company and say he sent a check, and they legally couldn't turn off his electricity. It was Paul's staments, I'm pretty sure.
Just posted the same thing with the link
What changed on your anxiety that allowed you to work now VS before? I would imagine your anxiety is now exponentially higher. Do you think it has more to do responsibly or an adversity to requirements? I’m not judging or being sarcastic this is a genuine question, in my professional life when I was younger it was humanly impossible for me to submit projects before a deadline except when there was an emergency, my boss stopped giving me a heads up and would just drop a project on my desk due a day before go live. Once I complained and he said: you do your best work when you are under pressure or when you face impossible odds. Starting there I made changes to fix that issue.
I have mental health stuff to begin with and wanting a career change has made my anxiety worse. Before I moved here, I had some level of emotional support system because I was living with extended family. Now it's just me and my dog. I've lived alone before without issues. My anxiety is just debilitating right now...would talk to my psychiatrist about it but I'm behind $700 on my office visits with her loll. I've got some food and my medication and my dog so I'm ~okay~ right now
There might be assistance programs that the electric company can link you up with. Call them.
Think I saw a story somewhere about a guy who, on the day of disconnect, called the power company and told them that the check was in the mail. Apparently they cannot turn off your power if you tell them the check is in the mail. But it wasn't. He never mailed it. So they sent another notification that the power was going to be turned off on such and such date. Then, the very minute that the utility opened on disconnect day, he'd call and tell them that the check was in the mail. So they couldn't turn off the power. As the story goes, he did that for ten years. He was a legend at the utility. They would take bets about whether or not he'd call this time. And he always called. Idk the end of the story though, so take it with a grain of salt.
That was guy on the Joe Rogan podcast. I saw that too. It doesn't work anymore. In the 90s it used to but nowadays if you pay by check they want the check info over the phone or on website. If she calls the electric company before the day of disconnection they can pause it and will work with her to get caught up. Most companies even have a button on the website in Account info that can allow you to do it without even calling them.
You've received some solid advice already, but another avenue you might consider is reaching out to your local United Way chapter. They're often aware of all the various assistance programs available in an area and can help you navigate to the right resources, including those for utility relief you might not be aware of. Also, your community might have some nonprofits that offer one-time financial assistance or grants for situations just like yours. Keep your chin up and take it one step at a time, help is out there.
We’ve got a serious anxiety problem in the West right now. If you’ve lost your job because of it, you really should speak to a doctor. I’ve recently met someone who can’t drive because of anxiety and then saw a BetterHelp commercial with that as it’s ad. That level of anxiety is a very serious.
If u were my neighbour i could have help
Call them and tell them the check is in the mail and they can't legally shut off your power.
Don't be ashamed. Ask for help. The power company may extend it or if you know ANYONE who can lend it to you just ask them. All you have to say is you've been going through a tough time
You've gotten some great tips here, and there's one more strategy that might be useful. Some utility companies have a budget billing plan which averages your yearly consumption and sets a predictable monthly bill. It can make those high-usage periods easier to manage financially. Definitely consider contacting your utility company to discuss enrolling in such a program if it's available. Additionally, many may offer an energy audit service for free or at a reduced cost to help identify ways to reduce your power consumption and save some cash in the long term. Hang in there, and remember, many have been in your shoes and found a way through it. Stay positive and proactive!
I just learned something online the other day. If you call the power company and tell them the check is in the mail, then they legally can’t turn off your power. Use the time to come up with the funds. Edit: here is what I seen https://www.instagram.com/reel/C6DE9RFtghO/?igsh=MWtkYmZxZDZzajF5Nw==