Senior Resources

Golden Umbrella Celebrates 43 Years of Service with Presentation of Founders’ Award

Redding, CA - Established in 2006, the Founders’ Spirit Award is given each year, acknowledging exemplary contributions to the mission of Golden Umbrella.

The recipient of the Founders’ Award is an individual who has demonstrated a high degree of passion for seniors and individuals with disabilities. This individual has actively participated in the success of the organization’s values, and vision.

Without seeking recognition, compensation or reward, this individual gives their time and energy where the need is greatest. Creativity and inspiration are the hallmarks of this individual. This year Golden Umbrella is pleased to present the Founders’ Spirit Award to Dean Haug.

Resources to help seniors with the energy crunch

Energy Assistance

Help with Utility Bills

City of Redding - CARES (Community Assistance for Redding Electric Service)

The CARES program provides emergency assistance for electric service bills for City of Redding customers. The intent of the CARES program is to help customers bring their accounts to current status. The customer must pay the non-electric portion of their utility bill to qualify. There are income guidelines to be met and customers must have suffered a temporary financial hardship to qualify. Customers are eligible for CARES assistance once every 12 months, and the maximum CARES amount is $250.00. Please call Customer Service at 530-339-7200 or toll free (866) 267-8845 to determine if you are eligible for this program.

City of Redding Utilities

Budget billing (provides for equal monthly payments to qualified residential customers) or amortization program (provides a method of paying an existing balance over time to qualified residential customers). Call (530) 245-7200 to find out if you qualify for any of these programs.

City of Redding Lifeline Program

Applications available for low-income seniors (age 62 and over) and low-income disabled customers by calling (530) 339-7200 Monday-Friday from 8am - 5pm. This program provides a 25% discount on both the monthly utility service charge and the first 800 kilowatt hours of usage each month, up to a maximum of $23.06.

LIFE SUPPORT
Life Support registration authorizes the City of Redding to notify customers in advance whenever a temporary interruption of electrical power is scheduled in their area. The Life Support program is intended for persons who would have a life threatening situation if they had a loss of power (i.e., operating a respirator, ventilator, oxygen concentrator or other medical equipment that requires electricity). It does not exempt those customers from having utilities turned off, but does allow for advance notification for those customers and places them in priority status in case of power outages. Please call Customer Service at (530) 339-7200 or toll free (866) 267-8845.

PG&E - CARE (California Alternate Rates for Energy)/FERA (Family Electric Rate Assistance) Programs

CARE Program provides a monthly discount on energy bills for income-qualified households.

FERA Program provides a monthly discount on electric bills for income-qualified households of three or more persons. Rates may also be negotiated to persons with documented extensive medical needs.

Applications available by calling 1-800-743-5000 or at Golden Umbrella call 530-223-6034.

Open the fill-in application to mail or e-mail - CARE & FERA Res Eng Span App_COC 366.pdf or

Click here to apply online - CARES/FERA Program Application

REACH (Relief for Energy Assistance through Community Help - PG&E)

One-time assistance only. Must have a shut-off notice, can pay up to $200 for those customers whose income for a household of 2 persons at or below $1,875 per month. (No HUD recipients) Call the Salvation Army, Monday-Friday from 1-3pm. (530) 222-2207

SHARE PROGRAM (City of Redding)

The SHARE or "Simply Helping Another Receive Energy" program is designed to assist fixed-income seniors pay their energy bills. City of Redding utility customers can make a monthly contribution to the SHARE program on their utility bill payment or you can opt to make a recurring SHARE contribution, in an amount of your choice. The recurring contribution will be shown as a fixed monthly charge and will be included in the monthly utility statement. All contributions to the SHARE program are collected by Redding Utilities and forwarded to Golden Umbrella, a community based non-profit agency, for distribution to qualified fixed-income seniors. If you have any questions about this program please contact the Golden Umbrella at (530) 223-6034.

If you would like to participate in the SHARE Program, please call (530) 339-7200 or toll free (866) 267-8845 or visit our Utility Customer Service Center at 777 Cypress Avenue, Redding, CA 96001. Our hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., excluding holidays.

SHARE (City of Shasta Lake)

Must have a shut-off notice. Provides $100 discount off utilities per year for qualifying City of Shasta Lake electric customers. Call the Salvation Army from 1-3pm. (530) 222-2207

HEAP (Home Energy Assistance Program)

Provides cost free services to eligible customers. Direct payment to utility provider on behalf of an eligible applicant. Availability for utility accounts, propane, wood or oils. Call 1(800) 479-5954 or (530) 378-6900 for more information.

LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program)

Cost free services based on household size and income provides water heater blankets, low flow showerheads, door weatherstripping, attic insulation, calking, energy education and information. Call 1(800) 479-5954 or (530) 378-6900 for more information.

PROPANE USERS

Should inquire about a payment plan or refer to HEAP for one time assistance.

Home Improvement

SELF HELP HOME IMPROVEMENT PROJECT (SHHIP):

ENERGY PARTNERS FOR WEATHERIZATION (for PG&E customers)

Assistance with free weatherization to income-qualified customers. Provided by PG&E to help their customers save money on utility bills by installing energy efficient weatherization measures. Cost free services include water heater blankets, low flow showerheads, door weatherstripping, attic insulation, calking, energy education and information. Call (530) 378-6900

HEATING & COOLING REPAIR ASSISTANCE:

Assistance is available for help with heating systems repairs and/or replacement and for help with air-conditioning systems repairs and/or replacement to Homeowners who are income-qualified. Call (530) 378-6900

SELF-HELP HOUSING REHAB

Low interest loans and grants are available to make repairs on homes located in the designated rural areas to income qualified homeowners. Homeowner must be able to supply labor. Technical assistance is provided by SHHIP. Services include, but are not limited to roofing, plumbing, electrical, interior and exterior repairs or improvements, and handicap required remodeling. Call (530) 378-6900

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REDDING RANCHERIA

Assistance for Native American customers. Please contact agency at (530) 225-8979 for more information on their program.

CITY OF REDDING MINOR HOME REPAIR PROGRAM FOR SENIORS

Must be 62 or older, pays up to $300 worth of repairs. Call (530) 245-7136 for more information. Must be income eligible. See HUD income guidelines.

HOUSING REHABILITATION PROGRAM

This program provides low interest and deferred loans to qualified customers for home repairs and energy efficiency upgrades. This program is administered by the Housing Department, which may be contacted at (530) 225-4409.

SHASTA COUNTY COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY

Emergency Housing and Assistance Program

Minor home repairs for seniors 60 and over or physically disabled. Call (530) 225-5160. County or outside city limits.

CITY OF ANDERSON SENIOR PROGRAMS

Helps seniors with minor home repair and modifications. Owner provides materials; the program provides labor to do basic home repairs and fall prevention for home and mobile home owners. Call for an appointment (530) 378-6656 Monday - Friday from 8-5 p.m.

Food Assistance

Emergency Food Assistance
People of Progress	530 243-3811
The Salvation Army	530 222-2207
Anderson Cottonwood/Christian Alliance	530 365-4220

Ongoing Food Assistance
Good News Rescue Mission	530 241-5754
Living Hope	530 243-8066
Shasta Senior Nutrition/Food Bank	530 226-3071
USDA Commodities	530 226-3071

Meals
Good News Rescue Mission	530 241-5754
Living Hope	530 243-8066
Shasta Senior Nutrition	530 226-3060

Medication Assistance

Call HICAP (Health Insurance Counseling Advocacy Program) at 223-0999 for information on prescription assistance. Provides help with Medicare Part D options.

If you need further assistance, call Golden Umbrella 8am-5pm, M-F at

(530) 223-6034

How you can help