FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Consumers Council of Missouri Commends Spire for Promoting DollarHelp Program; Urges Ameren Missouri and Missouri American Water to Strengthen Outreach for Similar Assistance Programs.

ST. LOUIS, MO – The Consumers Council of Missouri (CCM) applauds Spire for its proactive and visible promotion of the DollarHelp program – an essential resource that supports Missouri households struggling to keep up with gas bills. By actively encouraging donations, Spire helps ensure that community contributions fill critical gaps in winter heating assistance when other funding sources fall short.

“Spire’s commitment to making DollarHelp more widely known is a model for Ameren and Missouri American Water,” said Sandra Padgett, Executive Director of the Consumers Council of Missouri. “When people know how to donate to help their neighbors, fewer families face the threat of shutoffs, and more can keep their homes heated during the winter.”

CCM urges Ameren Missouri and Missouri American Water to follow Spire’s lead by more prominently promoting contributions to their own voluntary donation-based customer assistance programs:

• Ameren Missouri’s “Dollar More” program
• Missouri American Water’s “H2O Help” program

“Many community supporters simply don’t know about Ameren’s Dollar More and Missouri American Water’s H2O Help programs,” Ms. Padgett noted. “By more openly and consistently marketing these resources, utilities can make it easier for Missourians who want to help their neighbors to know where to donate.” CCM calls on all Missouri utilities to recognize the importance of accessible, well-publicized consumer assistance programs. Greater visibility not only supports families in crisis but also strengthens our community by ensuring that no household is left behind when temperatures drop.

Contact:
Sandra Padgett, Executive Director, Consumers Council of MO
314-323-8760
spadgett@moconsumers.org
St. Louis, MO November 12, 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ST. LOUIS, MO – In October 2025, Ameren disconnected 17,347 Missouri households for non-payment, representing approximately 1.6% of all Ameren customers, or roughly one in every 63 households. This marks the highest number of monthly disconnections reported by any utility since Missouri’s new utility reporting rule took effect in March 2024. The October disconnections also raise the total number of Ameren disconnections in 2025 to 87,664 households.

Currently, 219,375 Ameren customers, 20% of all households in its service area, are behind on their bills, with a combined $47.9 million in overdue payments.

“Missouri families are struggling. Households depend on electricity for items essential to daily living such as lighting, heating, refrigeration, cooking, and internet access.” said Sandra Padgett, Executive Director of the Consumers Council of Missouri. “Now more than ever, we need a low-income utility rate in Missouri to protect those who are unable to keep up.”

Rising utility rates have pushed many Missouri households to the breaking point:

• Spire increased rates by 10–12% in 2025
• Ameren raised rates by 12% in 2025
• Missouri American Water raised rates by 25% in 2025
• Recently enacted state legislation could add another $1,100 to annual utility costs
• Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funding remains uncertain
• The growth of data centers could further drive up both electric and water rates

A recently enacted Missouri law allows the Missouri Public Service Commission to establish a low-income utility rate or bill discount, based in part on “energy burden,” to help keep essential utilities affordable and reduce the risk of disconnections.

“The data is clear. Without policy action, tens of thousands more Missouri families will continue to face shutoffs,” Padgett said. “An affordable rate for low-income households is not just necessary – it’s overdue.”

Contact:
Sandra Padgett, Executive Director, Consumers Council of MO
314-323-8760
spadgett@moconsumers.org
St. Louis, MO November 12, 2025

The City of St. Louis, in partnership with the Collector of Revenue Gregory F.X. Daly and United Way, will begin the Water Utility Assistance Program for St. Louis residents with delinquent water accounts.

In 2020, the City instituted a moratorium on water shutoffs to protect residents during the COVID-19 pandemic. That moratorium will be lifted on September 1, 2025. This new assistance program is intended to help residents catch up on past-due water charges and avoid disconnection.

Program Overview
The City has allocated $1 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds to support this effort. Eligible households can receive a one-time credit of up to $500 on their water bill. The program includes a financial literacy component and requires enrollment in a repayment plan for any remaining balance.

Eligibility
To qualify, applicants must:

• Reside in the City of St. Louis
• Be more than 90 days delinquent on their water bill
• Demonstrate COVID-19-related financial hardship, such as lost income or increased expenses
• Have a household income at or below 60 percent of the Area Median Income
• Enroll in a repayment plan and receive financial literacy information from the City Treasury Division

How to Apply
Applications open August 20, 2025.

Residents are encouraged to apply online (see below). Paper applications will be available at:

• Water Division, 1640 S. Kingshighway Blvd, 63110
• Participating St. Louis Public Library branches: Baden, Barr, Buder, Carondelet, Carpenter, Central, Charing Cross, Divoll, Kingshighway, Machacek, Marketplace, Schlafly, Walnut Park

Required Documents
Applicants must submit:

• Photo ID (valid Missouri State ID or Driver’s License)
• Proof of primary residence that matches the water service address
• Proof of COVID-19 hardship (self-attestation is allowed)
• Proof of earned and unearned income for all adults in the household
• Proof of Social Security number for all household members
• Most recent water bill that is at least 90 days past due

Examples of acceptable income documentation include:

• Two recent pay stubs
• Letter from an employer
• Pension or benefit award letters
• Recent tax returns
• Unemployment or assistance program documentation

Self-employed applicants should provide their most recent tax return and a profit and loss statement.

Act Quickly
Funds will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Once funds run out, the program will close.

More Information and Application Details

Apply at the St. Louis City Water Website: ttps://www.stlwater.com/permits-applications/assistance-program.php

For more information, see: https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/mayor/news/water-bill-assistance.cfm