The Texas NAACP is proud to announce that we have been working with AFLAC to help bring their services to those who need it most. More information about those services will be released later
Texas NAACP has been involved in the Texas Redistricting Lawsuit
Even though it has not been covered much by the media, The Texas NAACP has been actively involved in the ongoing redistricting lawsuit. The interest of African Americans and other minorities were very well represented by lead counsel Allison Riggs of the Southern Coalition for Social Justice, Co-counsel Robert Notzon, Texas NAACP Legal Redress chair. [...]
Texas NAACP Calls for Department of Education to Review Social Studies Curriculum Changes
The Texas NAACP, Texas LULAC and Texas Association of Black Personnel in Higher Education (TABPHE) held a press conference, with partnering groups to announce the filing of a request for a proactive review by the U.S. Department of Education and its Civil rights division. The request addresses many aspects of discrimination against minority public school [...]
Congratulations to Texas Youth and College
The Texas State Conference would like to congratulate our future leaders, the Texas State Youth and College Division. Between the State Conference and Sam Houston State University Texas walked away with 10 awards, including College Chapter of the Year and Youth Advisor of the Year, during the National Convention Youth Freedom Fund Banquet. Once again [...]
If you miss one month’s utility bill
November 16th, 2011 
admin If that happens, you must act quickly. Here are some things you can do to prevent the cut-off, or to lower your bills so you can catch up and better afford future payments.
ontact the Utility Company
Call the company before the threats become dire. Most utility companies will let you get two or three months behind as long as you tell them when you’ll be able to make up what you owe. If your service has been shut off, the company will most likely require you to make a security deposit—usually for about three times the average of your monthly bill—before it reconnects you. The deposit rates following disconnects are regulated in some states. You may want to call a Legal Aid or Legal Services office to learn about your state’s law.Utility Discount Programs
Many utility companies offer reduced rates and payment plans to elderly and low income people. In addition, the federal Low-income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which is state run, helps low income customers pay their utility bills. Don’t assume you won’t qualify as low-income.To find out if you qualify and where to apply:
Call the utility company or contact the National Energy Assistance Referral (NEAR) project at 866-674-6327 or energy@ncat.org, or contact your state’s LIHEAP office for assistance (you can find that office on theLIHEAP website at www.acf.hhs.gov, look for “energy assistance”). If you qualify for one of these programs, you’ll be able to get future bills reduced—and may be able to spread out payments on past bills.Programs That Average Your Bills Throughout the Year
Some consumers fall behind on energy bills during periods when they use a lot of energy and incur high bills (winter in the north, for example). Many Prepaid Electricity Companies offer programs that average your periods of high and low usage and allow you to pay uniform monthly payment all year long.Laws That Prohibit Utility Cut-Off During Extreme Weather
Most northern states prohibit termination of heat-related utilities during the winter. Other states protect households with elderly or disabled residents, and occasionally households with infants. Usually, you must show financial hardship to qualify. But, even if you qualify for a prohibition against utility shutoff, you’ll still owe the bill.Utility Conservation Assistance Programs
Finally, don’t overlook the cost savings that come with conserving energy. Local utility companies offer utility conservation assistance programs, often at no cost. These measures can often cut your bill by as much as one-third to one-half.Filing for Bankruptcy
Filing for bankruptcy can provide a temporary stop to a utility shut-off, but you’ll have to provide some proof that you can pay future bills if you want to keep the termination at bay permanently. To learn more, see Using Chapter 7 Bankruptcy to Prevent a Utility Shut-Off.This is an excerpt from Nolo's Solve Your Money Troubles: Debt, Credit & Bankruptcy, by Margaret Reiter and Robin Leonard.
