| Q. |
What
is the Good Neighbor Energy Fund? |
| A. |
The Good
Neighbor Energy Fund is a cooperative effort between Rhode Island's gas, electric and oil companies and the United Way of Rhode Island. The effort helps people in financial crisis pay their energy bills. |
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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 supported by the
energy companies with various giving programs. |
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| Q. |
How
does the Fund work? |
| A. |
Requests
for assistance go through the state's Community Action Program (CAP) agencies which have income and household member guidelines for qualification.
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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 United Way of Rhode Island. 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. |
United Way of Rhode Island maintains a separate account for the RI Good Neighbor Energy Fund contributions. Funds are distributed to local Community Action Programs 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
throughout most of the year. The campaign to raise funds opens anew each October, 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 call the United Way 2-1-1 in Rhode Island help line. |
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