New Nashville offices open for utility payment assistance

Tennessean June 27, 2009 Metropolitan Action Commission will open two additional offices on Wednesday to help process an anticipated spike in bill assistance applications with the start of a new fiscal year. The South Nashville site will be at the Susan Gray Head Start Center, 445 Cotton Lane, and the East Nashville location will be inside the former Douglas Community Center, 210 N. Seventh St., near Meigs Magnet School. Last year, the first week of July brought almost 1,000 customers seeking help with utilities to the organization's main office in Germantown. That site also will remain open at 1624 Fifth Ave. N. The commission still has funds available to assist with utility bills but ran out of money in March to help with rent, mortgage and utility deposits. Customers are eligible to receive assistance once between July 1 of the previous year and June 30 of the current year, the duration of one fiscal year. Those who haven't received help between last July and now may qualify for energy funds and should apply before Wednesday. Energy assistance applications are available at Nashville Electric Service, Metro Social Services, public libraries and online at nashville.gov/mac. Applicants must live in Davidson County and meet other federal guidelines. The energy assistance applications are available. Call the commission at 862-8860 for more information. — STAFF REPORTS