Low Income Assistance

At the end of 2005, the Bryan Board of Public Affairs implemented a program called the Bryan Good Neighbors Utilities Fund to help low-income households with their basic water and electric bills. The program provides emergency bill paying assistance to BMU customers who cannot make their payment and are in danger of having their electricity and/or water shut off. The program is funded by donations from utility customers and BMU employee fundraisers. It is administered by Northwestern Ohio Community Action Commission (NOCAC).

NOCAC provides community and emergency assistance and already provides some assistance for utility bills, so the addition of the Good Neighbors Utilities Fund provides a one-stop type of assistance.

The program has been a remarkable success. Bryan residents have demonstrated their sense of community and outstanding generosity by donating more than $17,000 to the program since it inception, and the donations have helped more than 200 different Bryan families with their electric and/or water bills.

How to receive assistance

BMU customers qualify based on the federal income guidelines or exceptional hardship circumstances. The financial aid is made available only after other assistance programs have been exhausted and is capped at $250 per household per year. If you, or someone you know, needs help with his or her utility bills, please contact NOCAC at 419-636-4924.

How to contribute

Anyone can contribute to the Bryan Good Neighbors Utilities Fund, and all donations are tax-deductible.
Link to donation form >> Good Neighbors Donation Form (PDF)

Make checks payable to:

For more information about the program, please contact NOCAC at 419-636-4924 or send an email to wmscserv@nocac.org. Thank you for being a Good Neighbor!