Frequently Asked Questions
How is HEAT funded?
HEAT is funded by contributions from private citizens, energy companies, organizations and corporations. Some citizens donate to HEAT through their utility bill while others make direct donations.
How great is the need for assistance?
Official estimates state that only a fraction of the potentially eligible households receive help. The need is tremendous.
How can I help?
The amount of funds available for distribution depends on the generous donations of private citizens, organizations, and businesses. You can help your fellow Georgians by donating in one of the ways below:
Monthly contributions through utility bills if you are a customer of SCANA Energy, Walton Gas, or any of the following Georgia city utility systems: Adairsville, Claxton, Hartwell, Madison, Perry, Royston, Sylvester, Thomson, Tifton, Toccoa, or Waynesboro.
Round-up donations through your utility bills, if you are a city of Winder utility customer.
Mail contributions to …
HEAT, Inc.
P.O. Box 849
Smyrna, GA 30081
To make a donation online, please visit our donation page.
Are contributions tax deductible?
Yes, contributions are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.
How are HEAT funds disbursed?
The Georgia Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) distributes the funds through local community action agencies. Eligible individuals apply for assistance at the agency that serves their county. View the Get Help page to find the name and contact information of the agency that serves your area or call HEAT at 678-406-0212, ext. 101. Once an applicant is approved for energy assistance, a check is sent to the energy provider and applied toward the applicant’s account*. If you have questions about how to apply for HEAT funds, call 678-406-0212 or visit the Get Help page. * Energy providers may require customers to call to schedule reconnection of service before energy assistance payment is applied to account.
How much money has been disbursed by HEAT?
HEAT has distributed more than $29 million to nearly 115,000 families since it began in 1983. During the 2021/2022 winter, more than $800,000 was provided in energy assistance.
Who is eligible to receive HEAT funds?
Qualified households must meet guidelines that include income eligibility. Recipients of funds could be a family whose breadwinner is out of a job, an elderly couple trying to get by on a small and fixed income or a widow with small children. Many people across our state need help with heating bills through no fault of their own.
What can HEAT do to help people reduce energy use so their energy bills are smaller?
All HEAT recipients are referred to the state’s weatherization program, if eligible. Also, low-cost or no-cost energy-saving tips are offered on our website to help people conserve energy.
Who monitors HEAT?
The HEAT program is administered under the guidance of a board of directors consisting of volunteer business and consumer leaders from around the state.
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Georgia PSC Approves $1.2 Million For Heating Energy Assistance Team
Funding Provides Expanded Emergency Energy Assistance for Vulnerable Households Through 2029 SMYRNA, Ga. (Aug. 19, 2026) The Heating Energy Assistance Team (HEAT), a statewide Georgia nonprofit dedicated to helping vulnerable households meet their energy needs,...
Georgia nonprofits receive funding from Atlanta Gas Light as home heating needs rise
Atlanta Gas Light announced over $500,000 in financial support to local nonprofits that assist families with paying their natural gas marketer bills. Atlanta, GA – Dec. 17, 2025 – With energy usage rising across the state due to falling temperatures, Atlanta Gas Light...
Gas South Sparks Hope with $100,000 Gift to HEAT to Keep Families Warm
Supporting Utility Needs for Georgia’s Most Vulnerable Homes ATLANTA, Ga. (January 9, 2025) – Gas South, a leading natural gas provider, donated $100,000 to the Heating Energy Assistance Team (HEAT). This contribution will assist low-income families and individuals...
SCANA Energy donates $100,000 to Heating Energy Assistance Team to help keep Georgia families warm this winter
ATLANTA (January 12, 2026) — SCANA Energy donated $100,000 to the Heating Energy Assistance Team, Inc. (HEAT), continuing a 25-year partnership that helps thousands of low-income families across Georgia maintain safe, reliable heat during the winter months. “HEAT...
Georgia Natural Gas Donates $250,000 to the Heating Energy Assistance Team
Georgia Natural Gas recently presented a $250,000 grant to the Heating Energy Assistance Team, Inc. (HEAT) to support Atlanta and communities throughout Georgia during the 2025/2026 winter heating season. Read More
Heating Energy Assistance Team Welcomes Nichelle Mitchem as New Executive Director
ATLANTA, Ga. (July 20, 2025) The board of directors of Heating Energy Assistance Team, Inc. (HEAT) is pleased to announce the recent hiring of Nichelle Mitchem as executive director. As Georgia’s oldest statewide fuel fund, HEAT has ensured low-income Georgia families...
HEAT on WSB-TV Channel 2
Georgia Public Service Commission Joint Grant Awards
The Georgia Public Service Commission provided special Universal Service Fund grants to the Heating Energy Assistance Team, Inc., Project SHARE, and HopeWorks to assist low-income natural gas consumers served by gas providers (marketers) on the Atlanta Gas Light...
HEAT Partners with AARP to Help Local Seniors
Nonprofits often operate on a tight budget for administrative costs so that more funds can be used to support programs and services that help their target community. For many organizations, that means working twice as hard with a small, fulltime staff. To fulfill...
About HEAT
HEAT, Inc. is Georgia’s oldest statewide fuel fund, providing critical energy assistance to households in need—regardless of the energy source they rely on. Founded by Atlanta Gas Light Company in 1983 and established as an independent 501(c)(3) in 2000, HEAT has been a trusted lifeline for vulnerable Georgians for more than four decades.
Our Impact
For more than 43 years, HEAT has helped stabilize families facing energy crises by joining forces with caring individuals, businesses, utilities, and state agencies.
Our statewide impact includes:
- More than $30 million in energy assistance distributed to Georgians in need
- More than 150,000 Georgia households supported
- More than 6,000 Georgians were warmed during the 2024–2025 winter alone
Every donation directly helps an extremely vulnerable Georgia family stay warm, safe, and connected in their hour of need.
How Assistance Reaches Families In Need
HEAT uses a dual‑distribution model to ensure timely, equitable access to help:
- Direct Assistance: HEAT’s administrative office provides direct assistance to income eligible gas customers on the Atlanta Gas Light pipeline, for further information please call 678.406.0212.
- Statewide Distribution: The Georgia Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) distributes funds through local community action agencies statewide
Eligible households apply through the agency serving their county and must meet established income guidelines. This coordinated approach ensures that families in crisis receive support quickly and consistently.
Why Your Support Matters
Georgia faces persistent economic challenges that make HEAT’s mission more urgent than ever.
- More than 1.3 million Georgia residents live in poverty
- Many more struggle to afford basic household expenses
- Low‑income families in Georgia experience some of the highest energy burdens in the nation
- Rising utility costs and shrinking federal supports leave families choosing between heat, food, medicine, and transportation
Your donation helps prevent utility disconnections, protects vulnerable seniors and children, and keeps families safe in their homes.
How You Can Help
Your generosity fuels HEAT’s ability to serve families across Georgia.
- You can support HEAT by:
- Making a secure online donation on our website.
- Enrolling in monthly giving through participating utility partners (SCANA Energy, Walton Gas, and select Georgia city utility systems)
- Rounding up your utility bill if you are a City of Winder customer
- Sign up to give monthly donations through utility bills if you are a customer of the following Georgia city utility systems: Adairsville, Claxton, Hartwell, Madison, Perry, Royston, Sylvester, Thomson, Tifton, Toccoa, or Waynesboro.
Mailing contributions to:
HEAT, Inc.
P.O. Box 849
Smyrna, GA 30081
For more information, contact or 678‑406‑0212
Media Contacts
Nichelle Mitchem Adamson
678-406-0212, ext. 104
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