| Q. |
What
is the Good Neighbor Energy Fund? |
| A. |
The Good
Neighbor Energy Fund is a cooperative effort between Rhode
Island's gas and electric companies and The Salvation
Army of Rhode Island. The effort helps people in financial
crisis to pay their energy bills after they have failed
to qualify or have been turned away from other federal
and state energy assistance programs. |
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| Q. |
If there are other programs available, why is the Good
Neighbor Energy Fund needed? |
| A. |
Because
state funds have strict income guidelines that disqualify
many people who, because of unexpected circumstances,
experience a temporary need for assistance. |
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| Q. |
Where
does the Good Neighbor Energy Fund get its funds from? |
| A. |
Appeals
go out to the general public and business for contributions.
Any contributions made by customers are matched by the
energy companies dollar-for-dollar. |
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| Q. |
How
does the Fund work? |
| A. |
Requests
for assistance go through The Salvation Army, which has
income and household member guidelines for qualification.
Those who qualify may receive up to $500 on a one-time
basis. |
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| Q. |
How
do I make a donation? |
| A. |
Donations
can be placed in the "Good Neighbor" envelope,
which is most prominently found as an insert in customers'
energy bills, and returned to The Salvation Army. Checks
and money orders should be made payable to "Good
Neighbor". |
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| Q. |
Is
there a minimum donation I have to make? |
| A. |
No. A donation of
any size will help. |
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| Q. |
Is
my donation tax deductible? |
| A. |
Yes. The
Good Neighbor Energy Fund qualifies as a non-profit, 501(c)(3)
tax-exempt recipient. |
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| Q. |
How
do I know that the money I send in is actually being used
to help people with their energy bills? |
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| A. |
The Salvation
Army is charged with maintaining a separate account for
the RI Good Neighbor Energy Fund contributions and with
distribution of those funds for the specific purpose of
energy bill payment. |
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| Q. |
At
what time of the year does the Good Neighbor Energy Fund
stop helping people with their energy bills? |
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| A. |
The Rhode
Island Good Neighbor Energy Fund disburses available funds
on a year-round basis. The campaign to raise funds begins
anew each November, when the demand for assistance typically
begins its winter-weather climb. |
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| Q. |
Who
do I call for information about making a donation or requesting
assistance? |
| A. |
Please
contact the headquarters of the Salvation Army at (401)
831-1119 or your local Salvation Army Office. |
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