Residents of the counties of Orangeburg, Allendale, Bamberg, and Calhoun can contact the OCAB Community Action Agency (CAA) for help. The non-profit supports low income families, the unemployed, and seniors. Assistance may be available to those that qualify and that show an effort to work towards self-sufficiency over the short and low term.

LIHEAP, or the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, is a federal government and state of Carolina program for paying utility bills. There is a component that is operated throughout the year and another, called the Crisis Intervention Program, which is for households facing a disconnection.

Financial assistance and cash grants can be issued in order to help people keep their heat or air conditioning service on, repair heating devices or a furnace during the winter, and financial assistance is also offered in order to maintain purchase fans during the hot summer months. This LIHEAP program helps hundreds of families across Orangeburg, Bamberg, and other counties.

OCAB processes applications for utility bill assistance. Eligible low income customers who apply in the for Direct Assistance may receive one-time funds or credits to help with paying energy costs. Or if you don’t qualify then the agency may offer referrals for other programs. 

OCAB CAA - 1822 Joe S Jeffords Hwy. Orangeburg, SC 29115   -  (803) 536-1027

Project Good Neighbor FAQ

Who is eligible to receive help from Project Good Neighbor?
Anyone with a legitimate need of assistance.

Who determines eligibility?
The Cooperative Church Ministries of Orangeburg, (CCMO) will qualify all applicants. CCMO is an outreach ministry of over twenty churches in the Orangeburg area. CCMO is completely directed and staffed by unpaid volunteers. The staff volunteers are trained and supervised to validate and procure help for those in need. Persons interested in applying for help should contact:

CCMO - 2750 St. Matthews Road, Orangeburg, SC 29115  -  (803) 531-4913 

How are the funds administered?
ALL DPU donations will be used to directly assist qualified recipients in meeting their emergency needs.

Are donations tax deductible?
Yes, your donations are tax deductible. DPU will record your donations and automatically provide you with a year-end statement. (As with all tax issues, please consult a qualified tax preparer for further information.)

How can I help?
Call the DPU Customer Service phone number at 803-268-4050 and ask the representative to add an amount to your bill each month.  Your donation will be added to your monthly utility bill under the description “Project Good Neighbor” and will be included in the total amount of your bill.

You can also complete a recurring donation form and return it to any DPU Customer Service staff member.

Donation Form:  Project Good Neighbor Donation Form

Important Note...
The City of Orangeburg’s Department of Public Utilities does not retain ANY portion of your donation. In addition, DPU does not decide who receives assistance, nor how much assistance an individual is eligible to receive.