Financial assistance: Neighbors helping neighbors

You don't need to be an economist to know how the average family budget has been affected by inflation – the cost of everything has increased significantly over the last two years.

The biggest spike occurred in June 2022, when the consumer price index (CPI), which measures how much consumer goods cost compared to the same period 12 months earlier, peaked at 9.1 percent, the largest increase since November 1981.

Throughout 2023, the CPI continued to march upward, straining wallets and making it harder to make ends meet.

For some CoServ Members and Customers, inflation has made it more difficult than ever to pay their electricity and natural gas bill. Fortunately, financial assistance is available. Most importantly, the money comes from your own neighbors.

The CoServ Charitable Foundation partners with seven social service agencies in North Texas that distribute money for utility assistance to help CoServ Members and Customers. Over the last two years, CCF has donated nearly $400,000 for utility assistance. This money comes from Operation Roundup, where Members and Customers round their bills up to the nearest dollar.

The agencies have social workers who interview the clients to not only determine eligibility but help them with counseling, training and certification, personal finance and job searching. Next, the social service agency lets CoServ Customer Care know that they pledge to pay that Member or Customer’s utility bill, which ensures they will not have a service interruption.

“The heroes of this are the agencies themselves and those who participate in Operation Roundup, said Glen Squibb, Director of Community Engagement. “This really is neighbors helping neighbors, though it’s just pennies per bill, it really does make a difference in people’s lives.”