Power to Seniors

To compensate for the high cost of energy, seniors may feel they have no choice but to give up food, medications, phone and cable in order to pay their gas and heating bill. Power to Seniors uses resources to reach out to seniors to help them with their energy needs.

Power To Seniors is sponsored by the Shasta County Older Adult Policy Council and was created in response to the 2001 energy crisis to aid low-income seniors with paying their energy bills. Shasta County Utility customers may receive emergency assistance through the Power To Seniors program if they are 62 years old or older, and meet income guidelines. Customers must have a shut-off notice or their utilities must have been shut off.

If you need further assistance, call Connected Living between 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday at 530.223.6034, or visit Shasta County’s Website. 

Need Help Paying Your Electric Bill?

You may be eligible if:

  • Your power has been shut off.
  • You have received a shut-off notice that you are not able to pay.
  • You have not received assistance from Power to Seniors in the past two years.

To qualify for assistance you must be:

  • 62 years or older and the bill must be in your name.
  • Your income cannot exceed 200% of the Federal Poverty Level.

To discuss payment assistance, please call Dignity Health Connected Living at 530.223.6034.

How You Can Help

Donations

Power to Seniors is managed by Connected Living and every dollar goes directly to pay utility bills.
Over the past 10 years, the community has contributed almost $300,000 to Power to Seniors and helped more than 780 older adults to keep their electricity on.

The typical recipient is an older adult on a fixed income who has received a “past due” notice on their utility bill. The average payment is between $500-$1,000. Staff works closely with each recipient to assure that they use all other possible resources prior to taking a donation from Power to Seniors. Staff also works with families to develop a budget to prevent the problem from re-occurring and makes referrals for other community resources.

Donations to assist seniors with utility bills are welcome. Please make checks payable in any amount to Connected Living with a note in the memo line indicating Power to Seniors.

Send to:

Dignity Health Connected Living
200 Mercy Oaks Drive
Redding, CA 96001

Contribute to the SHARE program

Households and businesses can contribute when paying their Redding Electric Utility bill by including a specific donation amount on the line for Power to Seniors/SHARE.

Attend the Celebrity Soup Kitchen

The Celebrity Soup Kitchen is the annual fundraising event sponsored by the Older Adult Policy Council to support Power to Seniors. Each year it raises more than $10,000 to provide utility assistance to low-income seniors.The event includes:

  • Gourmet soups provided by local chefs and restaurants.
  • Soups served by local dignitaries and community celebrities.
  • Live entertainment.
  • Fabulous raffle prizes donated by City and County departments, local organization and businesses.
  • Delicious desserts.

You can support this event by:

  • Attending the Soup Kitchen
  • Buying raffle tickets
  • Donating a basket for the raffle
  • Donating soup, desserts, or other items
  • Donating money
  • Volunteering to help

Learn More

For more information, please call Dignity Health Connected Living at 530.223.6034.