REAP, other assistance programs support families through winter months
Cold winter months can be challenging for our customers, especially for those living on a fixed income. When temperatures drop, customers who depend on space heaters to stay warm, particularly senior citizens, can see a spike in energy bills.
“We have many in our senior community that rely on space heaters, which can cause or lead to high bills,” said Priscilla Robledo, Community Field Service Representative of our Customer Response Unit. “They really need financial assistance because they may be living on a fixed income to pay for their home, insurance, prescriptions and many other needs. They simply don’t have enough to cover all their costs.”
Fortunately, our Customer Assistance programs like the Residential Energy Assistance Partnership (REAP) are available to support families having a difficult time budgeting for their energy bills. REAP, a partnership between CPS Energy, the City of San Antonio and Bexar County, provides bill assistance of up to $200 twice a year to qualifying customers.
In 2017, more than 7,500 households benefited from REAP for a total of more than $2.2 million in assistance. CPS Energy donates $1 million to REAP every year.
Throughout the year, our team members enjoy supporting our neighbors in need through various programs like REAP. Last month, our 4th Annual GrillsGiving event brought together our team members, dozens of community sponsors and our customers for GrillsGiving, a family-friendly event that benefits REAP. GrillsGiving, which featured 30 BBQ teams, local celebrity judges, live music, and more, drew in 1,800 attendees. Proceeds from this year’s event reached more than $33,000 for REAP.
Are you or another family member needing assistance? To find out if you or a family member are eligible for REAP or another Customer Assistance Program, click here to take a brief customer questionnaire.
If you’re looking for a great way to help brighten the holidays for neighbors in need, you can donate to REAP! Just add a few dollars to your next energy bill and indicate that amount on your bill stub, whether you pay online or by mail. Or use PayPal to make a donation. Check out cpsenergy.com for more details. This holiday season, you can help us make the season warm and bright for our community!
