Stay Warm This Winter: Tips for You and Your Home

As temperatures start to drop, Seymour Helping Hands wants to help our community stay safe, warm, and comfortable through the cold weather months. A few simple steps can make a big difference in keeping your home cozy and your heating costs low.

🏠 Weather-Proof Your Home

• Seal the drafts: Use weather stripping or rolled-up towels at the bottom of doors and windows to block out cold air.

• Cover windows: Hang blankets, curtains, or plastic film to help hold in warmth.

• Close off unused rooms: This keeps heat focused where it’s needed most.

• Layer up: Wear socks, hats, and layered clothing inside to trap body heat.

• Cook and bake: Safely using your oven for meals adds warmth to the kitchen area.

💛 Help for Our Neighbors

The Seymour Helping Hands Community Center accepts donations of new or gently used space heaters and blankets. These items are shared directly with individuals and families who need extra help staying warm this season.

If you have extra coats, please take them to Calvary Baptist Church, where they are collecting and distributing warm clothing to those in need throughout the community.

Together, we can make sure no one in Baylor County faces the cold alone. Stay safe, stay warm, and thank you for helping us care for one another!

Atmos Energy Assistance information

If you’re a residential customer of Atmos Energy and finding it difficult to keep up with your natural-gas bill, you’re not alone — and there are help options available. Atmos offers multiple programs designed to ease the burden, whether you’re dealing with a high bill, need help with a deposit or reconnection, or want to reduce future costs.

What Assistance Is Available

Atmos Energy partners with state and federal programs, as well as nonprofit agencies, to offer help when you’re struggling. Key elements include:

• Bill Payment Assistance: If you are experiencing financial hardship, you may qualify for grants or support for your past-due balance or ongoing bill. Atmos notes that “financial assistance is available on a first-come, first-served basis to eligible residential customers through a local energy assistance agency.” psc.ms.gov+2atmosenergy.com+2

• Installment/Payment Plans: To avoid large lump payments, Atmos allows customers to set up payment plans that spread out the balance over time — “no added charges or fees” in certain cases. atmosenergy.com+1

• Federal & State Assistance via LIHEAP: The company is a partner in programs like the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Atmospheric indicates that the program helps “eligible customers experiencing financial hardship to provide support in paying their utility bills.” atmosenergy.com+2atmosenergy.com+2

• Emergency Charitable Program (“Sharing the Warmth”): Atmos’ “Sharing the Warmth” program is supported by customer donations plus company contributions, and helps pay bills, assist with weatherization or home mechanical repairs. For example, one year the program received over $1 million in customer contributions plus millions more from Atmos, supporting thousands of households. atmosenergy.com+2atmosenergy.com+2

• Weatherization & Efficiency Upgrades: To reduce future bills (not just pay them), Atmos also supports programs that help eligible households improve energy efficiency (insulation, sealing, appliance upgrades) through programs like “Keeping the Warmth”. atmosenergy.com+2LIHEAP Clearinghouse+2

Who Qualifies & How to Get Started

Qualification criteria vary by state and local agency, but generally include: being a residential customer of Atmos, having past-due balances or difficulty paying, meeting income limits (often at or below 200 % of federal poverty guidelines), and applying through a local energy assistance agency. Need Help Paying Bills+2LIHEAP Clearinghouse+2To get started:

1. Contact Atmos Energy’s Customer Support at 1-888-286-6700 (available Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.–6 p.m. Central) to discuss your account and assistance options. atmosenergy.com

2. Visit the Atmos website assistance page: atmosenergy.com/assistance to locate local agencies and view assistance programs. atmosenergy.com+1

3. Apply with your local energy assistance agency (these may include nonprofit-community action agencies) — they will review income, household size, account status, and may place you on a waiting list if funds are limited. atmosenergy.com+1

Why This Matters

Especially in colder months or during economic hardship, keeping natural gas service active is critical for safety, comfort, and health. Atmos notes that in one recent period, more than 67,000 households accessed over $34 million in combined assistance through LIHEAP, Sharing the Warmth and other programs. atmosenergy.com+1 By tapping into these resources early, you can avoid service disruption, mounting debt, and the stress of a disconnected account.

Important Things to Know

• Assistance funds are limited and often first-come, first-served. It’s best to apply as soon as you discover you’re struggling. psc.ms.gov+1

• Even if you receive assistance, you may still need to stay current on your ongoing usage/bills. Assistance may cover some portion, not necessarily full amounts.

• Weatherization/efficiency upgrades are a one-time investment but can lead to reduced future bills and improved home comfort.

• If your service has been disconnected for non-payment, contact Atmos immediately — they may be able to work with you for reconnection in conjunction with assistance.