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Delta Utilities LAUNCHES DU CARES Customer Assistance Program IN PARTNERSHIP WITH UNITED WAY

NEW ORLEANS, LA – Delta Utilities today announced the launch of Delta Utilities Cares (DU Cares), a customer assistance program that will provide short-term financial relief to households struggling to pay their natural gas bills. Funded by the Delta Utilities Foundation and administered in partnership with United Way of Southeast Louisiana (UWSELA), the program reinforces the company’s commitment to supporting families and strengthening economic stability across Louisiana and Mississippi.

“Delta Utilities Cares reflects our fundamental belief that no family should have to choose between keeping the heat on and meeting other basic needs like groceries, medicine, or rent,” said Tim Poché, CEO of Delta Utilities. “Natural gas is essential for cooking, heating, and maintaining safe, healthy homes. Through this program, we’re not just helping customers manage a bill; we’re investing in the stability of families throughout our service area. Our partnership with United Way ensures that help is accessible, equitable, and delivered with the compassion every family deserves.”

Developed in partnership with UWSELA, DU Cares is part of Delta Utilities’ broader commitment to supporting the communities it serves and strengthening economic stability for families across Louisiana and Mississippi.

“For many ALICE households, even short-term disruptions can quickly turn into a financial crisis,” added Michael Williamson, UWSELA President and CEO. “Programs like Delta Utilities Cares provide critical relief at exactly the right moment, helping working families stay stable and avoid falling further behind. United Way is proud to partner with Delta Utilities to ensure this support reaches those who need it most, strengthening household financial security and the overall health of our communities.”

Delta Utilities Cares Program Overview

DU Cares provides up to $250 in direct utility bill assistance for qualifying households facing unexpected financial hardship. The program is designed to deliver quick, meaningful support when customers need it most.

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Active Delta Utilities natural gas account
  • Residence within the Delta Utilities service area

Assistance Details:

  • Up to $250 applied directly to the customer’s natural gas bill
  • One assistance payment per household within a 12-month period
  • Applications reviewed and verified by UWSELA

Delta Utilities has committed up to $200,000 to fund DU Cares in 2026, with support deployed on a rolling basis as applications are approved. When funds are fully allocated, applications will temporarily pause until additional funding is available.

How Customers Can Apply:

Customers may submit an application online and must provide:

  • A current Delta Utilities bill
  • A matching ID

Customers may call or receive in‑person application support at one of UWSELA’s Prosperity Centers:

Orleans Parish:
2401 Canal St., New Orleans | 504-822-5540
8324 Morrison Rd., New Orleans | 504-827-6828

St. Tammany Parish:
834 N. Columbia St., Covington | 985-244-6580

Washington Parish:
432 Avenue U, Bogalusa | 985-244-6588

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About Delta Utilities 

Delta Utilities operates regulated natural gas utilities that provide safe and reliable service to customers across Louisiana and Mississippi. Today, these systems serve approximately 600,000 customers in communities across Louisiana and Mississippi, operated by a team of eight hundred employees spread across its footprint. With all previously announced transactions complete, Delta Utilities is a $1.7 billion organization and among the top forty natural gas providers in the U.S. The establishment of Delta Utilities’ headquarters in Louisiana, combined with CenterPoint Energy and Entergy Gas acquisitions represent millions in economic investment and will result in up to two hundred new jobs extending across its operating footprint.

About United Way of Southeast Louisiana

For over 100 years, United Way of Southeast Louisiana (UWSELA) has been a leader and trusted partner in improving lives and making a lasting difference. We fight to eradicate poverty by preparing people for quality jobs, growing incomes, and affording better health and education opportunities throughout Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, and Washington parishes. We have a bold vision of equitable communities where all individuals are healthy, educated, and financially stable – and we have a plan. United Way of Southeast Louisiana’s Blueprint for Prosperity guides all strategic investments in programs, initiatives, collaborations, volunteerism, and advocacy aimed at tackling poverty.

For more information, please visit UnitedWaySELA.org. Find us on social: @UnitedWaySELA.

Helena Moreno

Campaign Email:  letsgo@helenamorenola.com
Contact Phone Number:  (504) 655-2878


Campaign Website and Social Media Handles
www.helenamorenola.com
@HelenamorenoHQ  |  @helenamorenola

Commitment: If elected, would you dedicate additional funding in the City budget for early care and education?

Yes.

If so, how would you prioritize it in the budget?

Both in the state legislature and city council, I’ve been a strong supporter of bringing early childhood education to New Orleans. In 2018, we allocated the first $1.5M in city funds for additional seats. As Council President, we doubled that to $3M. I was the lead author to put the pre-k millage on the ballot, providing millions more. I will continue this work as mayor. As for additional funding for pre-k, is there anything more important? We have demonstrated to the public that local government can make progress on this issue with increased resources. There are competing priorities, especially when it comes to drainage, but our kids desperately need pre-k, and so do our parents, who are under pressure to be both caregiver and financial provider.

Commitment:  If elected, will you use your power and platform to advocate at the state and federal levels for sustained early childhood funding? If yes, please describe the specific actions you will take to do this.

Yes.

Every leader at the local, state, and federal levels should be working together to provide high-quality early childhood education to our young people. I will always shout from the rooftops about the enormous benefits of Head Start and pre-k, along with Medicaid, SNAP, public housing, and kids’ programming on PBS. As mayor, I will lead a broad intergovernmental relations effort with constant coordination between city leadership, the legislative delegation, and advocates. I don’t think anyone is listening, for now, but that can change. More broadly, this is why the mayoral election is so important. New Orleans needs to stand on its own two feet. No one is coming to rescue us, so we must be strong in the face of unprecedented economic, environmental, and political headwinds.

Commitment: If elected, will you commit to ensuring our early care and education providers can keep their doors open, grow their business, pay a living wage to their teachers, and help ensure families and educators can continue to afford to live in the city? If yes, please describe the specific actions you will take to do this.

Yes.

Child care providers will have a strong supporter in the mayor’s office when I am elected. Our city hall will serve as a hub, connecting needs and resources, with a focus on streamlining red tape for critical service providers, such as those offering child care. It is not enough to have more early childhood seats; we need quality. Even at current levels of local and state funding, pre-K early education programs exist in an environment where low wages are the norm and facilities are often in disrepair. The current climate at the state and federal levels may preclude additional funds. Yet, at the local level, as I mentioned earlier, is there anything more important than pre-k? We have demonstrated to the public that local government can make progress on this issue with increased resources.

Commitment: If elected, would you commit to ensuring essential local workers – including those in city government – can access childcare through local providers, and that private sector employers do their part in ensuring their employees can access the childcare they need to work, be productive, and grow our economy? If yes, please elaborate on how you would fulfill this commitment.

Yes.

I will always advocate amongst employers and at the state level for a real-living wage that can provide for a family. In workplaces across New Orleans and at city hall, I see parents working double time, struggling to keep up due to a lack of child care. Part of the answer is more public school seats for children aged 6 months to 4 years old. For older kids, I want NORD to do more. A lot more. I have been a leader in expanding NORD’s budget to record highs. Now the goal is to maximize services during non-school hours. Summer enrichment is especially crucial to prevent any backslide. In short, I want to usher in a NORD Renaissance, especially after school. This would go a long way, especially for working parents who need a few more critical hours of support before they can leave work.

Commitment: If elected, will you commit to maintaining this office and protecting these investments?

Yes.

How will you ensure these efforts are sustained beyond your term and are prioritized in future budgets?

Yes. I helped lead the effort for early childhood education with Agenda for Children, and I will commit to maintaining and protecting these early childhood investments. They were hard won, and we cannot lose them. If anything, we need an expansion, which will be the key subject of future budgets, which must balance ALL the city’s needs. The bottom line: we must support families, or else they will simply leave, and New Orleans will not have a future.