40.0°

The United Way of Southeast Alaska and Catholic Community Services have rolled out their residential grant program, which they call Juneau Unplugged.

The city-funded program is expected to help thousands of low income residents in Juneau weather the effects of a 447 percent cost increase for electricity.

The grant program was approved by the Juneau Assembly to mitigate the effects of high-energy costs during the months without power from the Snettisham hydroelectric project.

Applicants fill out a one-page form and attach their May 16 or later AEL&P bill and return it to Catholic Community Services.

In general, families below 200 percent of the federal poverty level will qualify. Five partner agencies will assist in reaching those most likely to qualify.

For now, Juneau Unplugged has $1 million to aid the neediest in Juneau.

In the end, the exact amount available to each home depends on how many apply and if the city dips into the additional $1 million appropriated by the Assembly for the program.