Project Helping Hand

Your Change Can Change Lives!

For more than 30 years, Project Helping Hand (PHH) has helped keep the lights on for members in need. PHH is a voluntary member contribution program, administered by community agencies, which provides limited funding to co-op members who need assistance with paying their electric bills. The program is an extension of Cooperative Principle 7: Concern for Community.

Project Helping Hand

Program Overview

For more than 30 years, Project Helping Hand (PHH) has been able to help keep the lights on for members in need. PHH is a voluntary member contribution program, which provides limited funding – payable through community agencies throughout the co-op’s service territory – to those who need help paying their electric bills.

Average number of consumer-members assisted per year: 200
Average number of members who donate through the Round Up program: 4,500
Amount the co-op distributes annually from PHH: $50,000

How PHH Works

PHH provides payment assistance to Adams Electric residential members at risk of service disconnection.
The member receiving assistance must be a member of the co-op with their name on the electric bill/account.
Members, employees and businesses/ organizations may donate to PHH any time by contacting the cooperative. Likewise, they may stop or pause participation at any time.
Members can sign up to Round Up their electric bill to the next even dollar every month as a contribution to PHH.
For tax purposes, annual donations to PHH, made through a member's electric bill are noted on the January bills each year. The total is for the previous year.

Note: PHH is a fund of the Adams County Community Foundation, and your donation is tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. Please check with your tax adviser on deductibility. Donors will receive acknowledgement of gifts over $10 via a letter from the Adams County Community Foundation, which helps administer the co-op’s PHH program. The official registration and financial information of Adams County Community Foundation may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll-free, 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.

Ways to Donate

Register for Round Up and the co-op will round up your electric bill to the next even dollar amount each month.
Register for Round Up Plus and the co-op will round up your electric bill to the next even dollar and add an additional $1 (or designated amount) to your bill each month.
Log in to your electric billing account thru SmartHub (bill view/bill pay portal) and opt-in to the Round Up program.
Make a direct donation by sending a personal check or returning your Ownership Rewards check to PHH each year.
Make a direct donation online through our third-party vendor, the Adams County Community Foundation by clicking on the “Donate Now” button at the top of the page. (Please indicate Project Helping Hand in the fund name when making your donation – it will show up on the confirmation page.)

Eligibility

To receive help from Adams Electric’s PHH program, call Adams Electric at 1-800-726-2324 during regular business hours, Monday-Thursday, 7 a.m.-4:45 p.m. You will be directed to the community agency located nearest to your service address that administers PHH funds for the co-op.

Members may receive a maximum of $700 per calendar year -- one approval of up to $350 between January and June and one approval of up to $350 between July and December.

PHH funds are not available for use toward security deposits, fees, uncollectible balances or meter tampering charges. The funds are for electric use only.

PHH funds may not be carried over from year-to-year.

Adams Electric Requirements

Applicants must be a residential member of the cooperative.
Applicants must have Balance Forward (past due balance) on their current bill.
Applicants must pay 25 percent of their past due balance before PHH Funds can be approved/released from a community agency.
Applicants must make a payment arrangement with the cooperative for the remaining past due balance.
applicants must enroll in Round Up on their bill.

Agency Requirements

Applicants must provide proof of their past due balance.
Applicants must show proof that 25 percent of their past due balance has been paid to the cooperative and a payment arrangement satisfactory to the cooperative has been made.
Applicants may be asked to provide documentation of income and other information needed by the agency.
Applicants may be asked or encouraged to apply for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
If provided, applicants should make note of the authorization number given by the agency.
Applicants may only receive PHH funds from the agency provider in the county in which they reside.
1. Note: Shippensburg District members, not living in the Big Spring School District, should visit the Chambersburg office of SCCAP.

*Some agency requirements may vary.

Find more information about the New Hope Ministry Hardship Fund.

Find assistance agencies near you.