United Way Of Northern Nevada And The Sierra

The Special Assistance Fund for Emergencies (SAFE) offers a one-time payment to help individuals and families who are having trouble paying their utility bills due to income challenges or other exceptional situations. To receive assistance, applicants must meet with a SAFE Partner agency to apply for potential utility aid. These SAFE Partners are tasked with confirming the eligibility of applicants and collecting necessary documentation. Once eligibility is confirmed, the funds are sent directly to the utility company on behalf of the individual. The availability of funding is limited, and efforts are made to distribute the funds fairly and ethically. The program adheres to specific guidelines: assistance can only be granted once within a 12-month timeframe, and the utility bill must be overdue by at least 30 days before funds can be accessed. Individuals are ineligible for SAFE funds if they have received approval for another state or federal low-income energy assistance program within the last 12 months or have a pending application for such programs. Those in need must apply through a participating SAFE Partner, who will evaluate eligibility based on these and other program criteria.

Intake Procedure: Interested individuals should call for information and to initiate the process. SAFE case managers will outline eligibility requirements and ask for the necessary documentation.

Fees: There are no fees associated with this program.