MT. VERNON, IL — United Way of South Central Illinois announced during a press conference Wednesday that utility bill relief funds will be coming for area residents through a partnership with Angels on Assignment.

Funding was secured by the UWSCI from the Illinois COVID Relief Fund. These funds will be allocated for each of the counties UWSCI serves and divided based on information such as population as well as demographics.

“Our office has worked hard to secure this funding, from contacting legislators to even being allowed to apply, to finding qualified organizations within each county to help disperse the funds, it has been a lot of work in a fast turnaround,” Stated UWSCI Executive Director, Nat Wellen. “We just hope this will help people in this difficult time to not be behind on utility bills and to be able to concentrate on staying healthy.”

In addition to Angels on Assignment, Crosswalk Community Action will be partnering to assist with utility bills in Jefferson County. Other counties include Hamilton, Wayne, Franklin, Marion and Washington.

Organizations assisting in those counties will be released soon. Find details at uwsci.org.