SINTON, Texas — Any help toward paying bills is a big relief.
Relief is the exact feeling Sinton resident Jacquie Sons experienced saving $5 - $200 dollars on her utility bills.
She go that savings thanks to Community Action Corporation of South Texas, a nonprofit organization that helps low-income households afford different services.
Sons is part of the Utility Assistance Program within CACOST. She said because of her chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and her grandson's asthma, having the air conditioning on is essential.
She is also on a fixed income, and says her Social Security check "doesn't go very far."
CACOST's Utility Assistance Program is designed to help immediate needs while educating clients about the energy we use.
CACOST's website says the organization prioritizes "households with elderly, disabled, and young children (ages 5 and under)" for financial assistance.
Its South Texas director of operations and energy programs Doug Hairgrove said CACOST is in communication with many utility companies.
"If they notice they have clients that have trouble paying their bills, a lot of times they will refer them to us directly, and that way they will contact us or we will contact them," he said.
He said depending on household size and income, someone can save up to $1600 dollars a year on their utility bill.
And, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, CACOST is making it easier to apply for the program.
"We’ve been able to let people apply without a lot of things that people need from the courthouse," he said. "For instance, birth certificates, or proof that they lost their jobs."
CACOST also offers health care, first-start for children, senior nutrition services and more.
"There's all kinds of help out there, you just gotta, reach out," said Sons.
To contact CACOST call (361) 664-0145 ext. 2021 or check out its Facebook Page.