As the nation pauses to recognize veterans this week, Ameren officials are reminding those who have served that help is available for households struggling to keep up with utility bills.
Ameren’s Military Assistance Fund is accepting applications from eligible active-duty military members and veterans who are customers of Ameren Missouri or Ameren Illinois and need help paying past-due energy bills.
“When our veterans and military families are facing a financial hardship, we want them to know they are not alone,” Joe Solari, Ameren vice president of customer experience, said in a statement. “We’re grateful for our military community’s service, and we encourage service members, veterans and their families with past-due energy bills to apply for our Military Assistance Fund program.”
The program provides bill-payment grants to qualifying residential customers. Eligible veterans and active-duty military members can receive assistance once every 12 months, with grants applied directly to outstanding energy balances.
For one recent recipient who asked to remain anonymous, the support arrived during a particularly difficult chapter. She is a veteran who had been unable to work through most of a high-risk pregnancy. She said the grant helped her family remain stable after the birth of her daughter.
“I really don’t know what we would have done,” the veteran shared. “This assistance made me cry with gratitude because it kept my family stabilized.”
Ameren Illinois customers can learn more about eligibility requirements and begin the application process at AmerenIllinois.com/Assistance. Ameren Missouri customers can apply through United Way by calling 2-1-1 and providing proof of military status.
Company representatives also noted that the Military Assistance Fund is only one of several programs available to customers experiencing financial hardship. Depending on eligibility, customers may qualify for multiple forms of assistance that can help lower costs and prevent service disruptions.
“Don’t wait until you fall further behind,” Solari said. “Take that first step today toward getting help.”
Information on additional bill-payment programs, energy assistance resources and payment options is available at Ameren.com/Assistance.