York Electric Cooperative, Inc.

COVID-19

COVID-19 Housing Assistance

York Electric Cooperative is committed to looking out for our members. We are pleased to offer the SC Housing Authority’s SC Stay Plus Program to members in need. This is a rent and utility assistance program for South Carolina renters impacted by COVID-19. Applications are now accepted. Eligible applicants may receive up to 12 months of assistance with back rent and/or utility payments dating back to March 13, 2020.

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[PDF] SC Stay Plus Info & Checklist

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Learn more and apply here today!southcarolina.onlinepha.com

 

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To access the application, scan the QR code above or visit SCHousing.com/Home/SC-Stay-Plus

Renters and landlords should click here to visit the SC Stay Plus website or call the call center at (803) 336-3420 for more information. We are anticipating high demand for these funds due to the urgent needs of residents. Completing an application as soon as possible may speed up the processing time.

To qualify, renters must have experienced one of the following life events since March 13, 2020:

  • Qualified for unemployment or have experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or have experienced a financial hardship due to COVID-19;
  • Demonstrates risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability, or;
  • Has a household income at or below 80% of Area Median Income

Additionally, applicants will need to provide the following documentation to complete their application:

  • Pictures or scans of a photo identification
  • A copy of some sort of rental agreement or proof of rent payments
  • A 2020 Federal Tax Return
  • Proof of financial hardship (e.g., unemployment benefits, unemployment letter, business closure, etc.)
  • Proof of risk of housing loss or experiencing homelessness (e.g., eviction notice or past-due utilities)

If an applicant does not have any of the documents available, they should not hesitate to apply to the program. The SC Stay Plus call center is ready to assist where possible.

Please note: residents in 39 counties are eligible for the SC Stay Plus program. The following seven counties are providing their own rental assistance programs: Anderson, Berkeley, Charleston, Greenville, Horry, Richland, and Spartanburg – see more information on these resources here.

Keep in mind, if you have previously applied for assistance through SC Stay in February 2021, they cannot request support from both programs for the same period of back rent. However, they can request assistance for different months.

Call (800) 476-0412 with any questions about Stay Plus.

If you have questions about the SC Stay Plus program or know someone who needs assistance with the application, please call the call center directly at (803) 336-3640 or toll-free (800) 476-0412.

SC Stay Plus Infographic

Program FAQ

How much financial support can I get?

The SC Stay Plus program is designed to provide up to 12 months of unpaid back rent AND utilities for renters financially impacted by COVID-19. Some applicants may also qualify for up to 3 months of future rent assistance to maintain housing stability.

How long will it take for me to receive program funds?

After your application has been reviewed and approved, you can expect payment within 30 days. The review process can take up to 30 days. We encourage you to ensure that your application is complete at submission to get an approval decision as quickly as possible.

Does my landlord need to be involved?

Landlord participation is strongly encouraged. Please complete/submit your application and email us for additional assistance. Landlord participation will help you receive funding faster.

What options are available to me if my landlord refuses to participate?

Reasonable efforts will be made to encourage participation; however, if your landlord continues to refuse, please contact the SC Stay Plus call center for further assistance.

Can landlords refer tenant(s) who need help?

Yes. Landlords can complete the Landlord Referral Form on the applicant portal. However, the tenant will need to submit an application in order to be considered for funding.

Who do the SC Stay Plus funds go to?

The program pays back rent directly to your landlord.

Where can I see if my income qualifies for the SC Stay Plus program?

The program is designed for people whose household income is at or below 80% Area Median Income (AMI). Priority will be given to households with an income at or below 50% AMI. Click here to see AMI by county.

Application Support

Having trouble uploading documents to the application? Send them in via . Be sure to reference your application ID number.

Are foreign passports an acceptable form of identification?

Yes, foreign passports are acceptable.

What if my ID has expired?

Identification forms that have expired after March 13, 2020, are still acceptable.

I recently got denied, and I’m not sure why. What are my options?

You can appeal your application decision by contacting the SC Stay Plus representative reviewing your case or by .

I did not have all the required documents at the time of completing my application. Can I come back and upload them?

Yes. Applicants are given an opportunity to upload their documents after they complete the application form. However, adding these documents as quickly as possible is critical to expediting the review process.

All SC Stay Plus (COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance) Frequently Asked Question (FAQs) For Renters

Coronavirus update from your co-op

As we continue dealing with new realities each day due to the COVID-19 pandemic, know that York Electric is looking out for you. We’ve been through crisis situations before, and we’re prepared to provide the reliable service you have come to expect from us during this time of uncertainty and difficulty.

YEC's Celeste Burns and Ann Faulk
Member Services Representatives Celeste Burns (left) and Ann Faulk wear masks to protect themselves as they move throughout the building during the day. We encourage you to do the same! Erin Powell

Our number one job right now is to keep the power flowing to your home. York Electric is taking every measure to ensure that our employees stay healthy and here for you. Required face coverings, daily sanitizing of office spaces, social distancing, and staggered employee schedules to limit building capacity, are just a few steps your co-op is taking to stop the spread and serve you safely.

For now, our lobbies will remain closed. When we feel it is safe to reopen them for members, we will communicate safety precautions and plans to conduct cooperative business at a safe distance. Please remember that there are several online and electronic options to take care of your account, make a payment, create an arrangement and more!

During this crisis, we realize that some people may be facing hardships, and we’re prepared to help out in those situations. We hope that each of you will stay safe and follow the precautions that are being provided by our health officials. Whether it’s through a storm or a pandemic, you can always count on your co-op.

Doing well by doing good

Although our board of directors deemed it unsafe to host our annual meeting this month, I still have positive updates to share. As we continue monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic, we will communicate plans for our annual meeting to all of you, including voting on your trustees, bylaw amendments and single-member districts. For now, I bring you the good news in print until it is safe to be together in person.

Asplundh tree crews
Asplundh tree crews continue to maintain right of way across YEC’s territory. Keeping trees and brush clear from the line not only improves your reliability, but it also helps crews reach equipment during an outage for quick repairs. ERIN POWELL

Your co-op is in great shape

We were able to retire the largest amount of capital credits at one time in our history to you in April 2020. Members received refunds totaling $2 million and, hopefully, this money came at a time when extra cash was needed most. The co-ops of South Carolina are working together to make sure the Santee Cooper deal is the best it can be for our members. We will not have a rate increase in 2020, and we do not plan to see one within the next two years.

New services provide benefits

As promised, we have continued working to find a way to bring high-speed internet to the unserved and underserved areas of our territory. We know this is key to keeping everyone connected to the world, and we want to do our part to help. We’ve also rolled out new energy services programs, offering technology at a lower cost for you. Learn more about the benefits of our whole house generator program and ecobee smart thermostat programs. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, we are always looking out for you and researching new ways to enrich our communities and improve the quality of life in our area. Because of you, we have been able to give $3 million back to help those in need through our Operation Round Up program. We have also continued to be a vital part of economic development efforts in our area so that our members have more job opportunities.

YEC's CEO, Paul Basha
Paul Basha

I say all of this with gratitude for our membership, our communities and our employees. Local men and women here at YEC care about you and your families. Their dedication and determination to serve you is why we were able to respond to 99.75% of outages in 2019 within an hour of the first report, no matter the weather conditions or time of day.

These are just a few ways YEC continues to prove that we have your back and will always set the bar high to deliver reliable, affordable electricity to you. Thank you for another great year!

Sincerely,

Paul Basha

Paul Basha
President and Chief Executive Officer

We’re suspending your annual meeting

A hearty handshake. A slap on the shoulder. Maybe even a warm hug. You don’t usually associate these types of behaviors with a business meeting. That is, unless you’re talking about York Electric Cooperative’s Annual Meeting. It’s what makes us different bringing members, employees, trustees and our community together to engage with one another and participate in the business of their cooperative. Having such an event has always been an important part of serving you and thanking you for your membership.

YEC Staff at Annual Meeting
When it comes to Annual Meetings, the YEC team is one well-rehearsed ensemble. Porter Gable

Unfortunately, right now, the very things that make our annual meeting so special create an even greater risk to the communities we serve. York Electric’s 2020 Annual Meeting of Members is suspended to prevent further spreading of the coronavirus.

Although unprecedented, this decision by your board of trustees is consistent with York Electric always putting safety first. The trustee election, bylaw changes and cooperative business that needed to be done on May 9, 2020 can be accomplished at a time when it’s safer for us to be together again.

As you may know, these annual meetings are part of cooperatives’ DNA and are required to happen as written into our bylaws. But a pandemic has no use for bylaws. Statutes and regulations don’t make sense if following them is harmful for the people those rules are meant to protect. For example, YEC has limited personal contact with members, suspended account disconnections, increased social distancing for meetings, and increased employee communications detailing the signs of COVID-19 and guidelines to help prevent spreading germs in the office.

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[PDF] 2020 Proposed bylaw changes

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Although it has not been necessary yet, York Electric may adjust its office hours or even temporarily close. We strongly encourage you to visit this webpage, follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, or just simply call our member services team at (803) 684-4248 to receive the latest information on how our services have changed.

In the meantime, we’re doing everything we can to prevent the spread of the virus. Our offices are routinely cleaned and disinfected. Our employees, especially those who interact with the public, adhere to strict personal hygiene guidelines and have been instructed to stay home if they are feverish or do not feel well.

As you practice social distancing or self-isolation, let me remind you of our remote account management services. With YEC’s Member Portal, you can pay your bill, create a payment arrangement, request service orders, or report an outage on your desktop computer or using our mobile app. Our free YEC Mobile App also provides these services, along with our opt-in texting at 352667. If you haven’t already, now is a good time to take advantage of them. Please call us if you need assistance.

YEC's CEO, Paul BashaYEC is always looking out for you, so I remind you all to stay in safe spaces, practice healthy habits and stay informed. We want to help you and our community stay well.

Sincerely,

Paul Basha

Paul Basha
President and Chief Executive Officer

Our COVID-19 Response and Resources

COVID-19 Resources

We understand the anxiety you may be experiencing around this evolving situation. Please know we’re committed to being responsive and flexible to your needs and are available to you at any time as we navigate and adapt to the ongoing concerns surrounding COVID-19. 

To that end, we have created a COVID-19 section on our site to address your many cooperative-related questions and provide resources for assistance and information well beyond our own backyard. As the crisis develops or new information needs to be disseminated, we will update this new section; feel free to bookmark the page and visit often.