Customer Assistance Programs

Energy Emergency Deferred Billing Program (EEDBP)
If the Louisiana Public Service Commission declares an energy emergency, eligible Cleco customers may defer a portion of their bill. Cleco developed this program under the guidelines of Legislative Act 629 of 2001, and Louisiana Public Service Commission Order No. R-26038. The deferral can be paid over a period of up to 12 months, depending on the amount. The amount deferred would be the amount in excess of a customer's previous year's Cleco bill for the period of time specified in the declared emergency. The example below shows what could be deferred.

$160.00 Current bill
$100.00 Pay now (bill for same month last year)
$60.00 Amount that can be deferred

To be eligible, last year's bill must be at least $20.00 lower than the bill for the specified period of time deemed an emergency. Generally, you would be responsible for paying the amount paid in the same month last year, or $100.00, on the regular due date. The $60.00 would be deferred and paid in installments over some period of time (see below).

Amounts and periods of maximum deferral are:

$20.00 - $75.00 may be deferred over a period of 1-3 months
$75.01 - $150.00 may be deferred over a period of 1-6 months
$150.00 and above may be deferred over a period of 1-12 months

Eligible customers

• Those whose income does not exceed 150 percent of the poverty level as established by the federal government
  
• Those who receive food stamps or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
• Those whose sole income consists of Social Security payments
• Vital government entities designated by the LPSC as providers of services essential to public health, safety and welfare
• Persons certified by a physician as needing life-sustaining, electrically operated equipment, or life-sustaining medical treatment that requires electricity.

After eligibility is established, customers may receive a deferment on their most recent bill that is not past due. Each month during the declared emergency, eligible customers will receive a deferment unless the customer withdraws form the program.

Application process
Enrollment for the program is done through the community action agencies listed below. Those wishing to enroll in the program should first call their local agency for information regarding the process used at that agency. Customers will need a Cleco bill, along with proof that establishes them as a member of one of the eligible groups when applying. Customers will be asked to fill out some paperwork, and eligibility will be verified by the agency and forwarded to Cleco. Those currently certified as Cleco critical care customers will only need to sign some paperwork to initiate participation in the program. Paperwork for critical care customers can be sent by mail at the customer's request.

Customers will have to re-certify every two years to remain eligible.

Note: Those currently enrolled in Cleco's Levelized Billing Program will receive no benefit from enrolling in the EEDBP as their energy bills are already levelized over a 12-month period.

Still have questions? Check out our Q&A.

Community Action Agencies

• Acadia Parish
  SMILE Community Action Agency
  11 North Parkerson Avenue
  Crowley, LA 70527
  (337) 788-7550
  
  
• Allen Parish
  Allen Action Agency, Inc.
  505 W. 7th Avenue
  P.O. Box 540
  Oberlin, LA 70655
  (337)639-4348
  
  
• Avoyelles Parish
  Avoyelles Progress Action Committee, Inc.
  641 Government Street
  Marksville, LA 71351
  (318) 253-6085
  
  
• Beauregard Parish
  Beauregard Community Action Agency, Inc.
  104 West Port Street
  P.O. Box 573
  DeRidder, LA 70634
  (337) 463-7895
  
  
• Calcasieu Parish
  Calcasieu Parish Police Jury/OCS
  2424 3rd Street
  P.O. Box 3171
  Lake Charles, LA 70602-3171
  (337) 721-4020
  (800) 542-7074
  
  
• Desoto, Sabine & Red River Parishes
  Desoto Office of Community Services
  Desoto Parish Police Jury/OCS
  113 Franklin Street
  P.O. Box 1410
  Mansfield, LA 71052
  (318) 872-0880
  
  
• Evangeline Parish
  Evangeline Community Action Agency
  403 West Magnolia Street
  Ville Platte, LA 70586
  (337) 363-1306
  
  
• Grant Parish
  North CentraLA Community Action Agency
  205 Main Street
  Colfax, LA 71417
  (318) 627-3754
  
  
• Iberia Parish
  SMILE Community Action Agency
  121 West Pershing Street
  New Iberia, LA 70560
  (337) 365-8151
  
  
• Natchitoches Parish
  Natchitoches Parish Police Jury/OCS
  415 Trudeau Street
  P.O. Box 799
  Natchitoches, LA 71458-0799
  (318) 357-2220
  
  
• Rapides Parish
  Cenla Community Action Committee
  1335 Jackson Street
  Alexandria, LA 71301
  (318) 487-5878
  
  
• Rapides Parish
  Clifton-Choctaw Reservation, Inc.
  1146 Clifton Road
  Clifton, LA 71447
  (318) 793-4253
  
  
• St. Landry Parish
  St. Landry Parish Community Action Agency
  1065 Highway 749, Suite E
  Opelousas, LA 70571
  (337) 948-3651
  
  
• St. Martin Parish
  SMILE Community Action Agency
  2097 Terrace Road
  St. Martinville, LA 70582
  (337) 394-6013
  
  
• St. Mary Parish
  St. Mary Community Action Committee Assn., Inc.
  1407 Barrow Street
  P.O. Box 2715
  Franklin, LA 70538
  (337) 828-5703
  
  
• St. Tammany Parish
  St. Tammany Parish Community Action Agency
  2004 1st Street
  P.O. Box 1609
  Slidell, LA 70459
  (985) 646-2090
  (985) 893-3923 Covington Office
  
  
• Vernon Parish
  Vernon Community Action Council
  1307 South Fifth Street
  P.O. Box 520
  Leesville, LA 71496-0277
  (337) 239-4457
  
  
• Washington Parish
  Quad Area Community Action Agency
  510 East Third Street
  Bogalusa, LA 70427
  (985) 735-7715

Critical Care Alert Program
The Critical Care Alert Program identifies customers with medical conditions where loss of electricity would be detrimental to their well being and health. A critical care customer registration form must be completed and signed by a physician. Call 1-800-622-6537 or visit a local customer service office for a registration form.

The Power of Sharing Fund
If you would like to help those who struggle to pay their energy bills, Cleco offers the Power of Sharing Fund. This fund, formerly called the Energy Fund, has been in effect since 1985 to assist economically disadvantaged seniors and disabled citizens. Monies collected through the fund are used to assist with energy bills, purchase fans and blankets, weatherize homes, and make minor repairs to heating and cooling units.

Cleco customers and employees contribute to the fund, and Cleco provides matching donations. Assistance provided by the fund is distributed through the Louisiana Association of Councils on Aging. To find out if you or a loved one qualifies for assistance, contact your local Council on Aging. You may choose an option on your bill to contribute $1, $2, or $5 to the Power of Sharing Fund.