ST. LOUIS (Oct. 5, 2021) – Additional funds are now available for Missouri families struggling to pay their utility bills due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Ameren Missouri is directing $1.2 million to its Clean Slate program to include support for moderate income customers who do not qualify for low-income programs. The company is also directing $300,000 to support local agencies who administer these funds.

Due to the impact of COVID-19 across a broader range of customers, Ameren  Missouri wants to ensure as many customers as possible take advantage of energy  assistance options. These funds will make help available for more Missouri families.

“Customers receive a fresh start with the Clean Slate program,” said Marty Lyons,  chairman and president of Ameren Missouri. “We recognize there are families  struggling and in need of assistance who don’t qualify for many of the existing federal  and state assistance programs. The Clean Slate program helps fill that gap.”

Ameren Missouri’s previous $3.5 million COVID-19 Clean Slate program helped  thousands of customers pay off their past-due utility bills. This $1.5 million donation is  on top of the $5 million previously pledged to COVID-19 relief in 2020.

“Ameren Missouri’s Clean Slate program has been a marvelous blessing for  thousands of Missourians in need of energy assistance,” said Reverend Earl E.  Nance Jr., treasurer and chair emeritus of Heatupmissouri.org and  Heatupstlouis.org. “We depend desperately on these funds and it takes strong  partnerships to continue helping families facing financial challenges. We can always  count on Ameren Missouri.”

“This new round of Clean Slate funds will be a lifeline for many Missouri families as  we head into the colder winter months,” said Mark Sanford, executive director of  People’s Community Action Corporation (PCAC). “Many of our clients continue to  navigate reduced wages, job loss and other hardships because of COVID-19. This  support from Ameren Missouri will be the helping hand they need.”

Clean Slate will help eligible customers with up to $750 per account, after they pay  25% of the past-due balance.

“The goal of this donation is to help more Missouri families dealing with financial  hardship due to the pandemic,” said Tara Oglesby, vice president of customer experience for Ameren Missouri. “From conversations with our customers, energy assistance agencies and the Missouri Office of the Public Counsel, we identified the Clean Slate program as a highly effective way to help even more people.”

To be eligible for Clean Slate, customers must meet the following requirements:

∙ Household income up to 300% of the federal poverty level.

o For example, customers in a four-person household making up to

$79,500 are eligible to apply.

∙ Pay 25% of the past-due balance.

∙ Self-declared hardship due to COVID-19.

∙ Have an active Ameren Missouri electric account that is past due, on a payment agreement or in need of re-connection.

∙ Customers who received Clean Slate funding in 2020 are eligible to reapply.

“Ameren Missouri is serving a critical need with this $1.5 million by expanding tools to help more families get back on their feet, especially those who don’t qualify for other low-income programs,” said Kyrie Windsor, LIHEAP deputy director for Missouri Ozarks Community Action (MOCA).

Community Action Agencies and Heatupmissouri.org will administer the Clean Slate program and distribute the additional $1.2 million of energy assistance. Customers are encouraged to apply as soon as possible before their outstanding balance becomes unmanageable.

Customers can find more information at AmerenMissouri.com/CleanSlate or by calling Ameren Missouri at 800-552-7583.

Energy assistance is also available for customers with lower incomes. Missouri’s Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is currently accepting applications from customers with an income at or below 60% of the state median income level. For example, customers in a four-person household making up to $51,021 are eligible to apply.

How to apply for LIHEAP:

∙ Contact your local Community Action Agency

∙ Call 855-FSD-INFO (855-373-4636) to request an application.

∙ Apply via a new online portal at MyDSS.MO.gov/energy-assistance.

Ameren Missouri has been providing electric and gas service for more than 100 years, and the company’s electric rates are among the lowest in the nation. Ameren Missouri’s mission is to power the quality of life for its 1.2 million electric and 132,000 natural gas customers in central and eastern Missouri. The company’s service area covers 64 counties and more than 500 communities, including the greater St. Louis area. For more information, visit Ameren.com/Missouri or follow us on Twitter at @AmerenMissouri or Facebook.com/AmerenMissouri.

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Clean_Slate_2021

Extreme heat will be returning to portions of eastern Missouri and southern Illinois. A Heat
Advisory has been issued by the National Weather Service in St. Louis and will remain in effect
from noon today until 9:00 p.m. Thursday, July 29, 2021. Heat index values of up to 112°F are
expected and hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illnesses.

The City of St. Louis Department of Health joins the National Weather Service in reminding
residents and visitors to the city to never leave children in parked vehicles, even if the windows
are cracked. Temperatures inside vehicles can rise almost 20 degrees within the first 10 minutes,
even with a window cracked open. Children left unattended in parked cars are at heightened risk
for heat stroke, and possibly death. Also:
• Drink plenty of non–alcoholic fluids,
• Routinely cool–off in an air–conditioned area,
• Check on relatives and neighbors,
• If you must be outdoors, take frequent breaks in the shade or in an air–conditioned
environment and limit exercise to early mornings or evening hours
• Don’t forget about your pet – if they must be outside, ensure they have shade and fresh
cool water, and never leave them in a parked vehicle

Cooldown St. Louis is helping area seniors and people with physical disabilities who qualify for
new air–conditioning units and utilities this summer. Low–to–moderate income households may
also seek utility assistance through CoolDownStlouis.org. Seniors may call the automated hotline
at 314–241–0001 or 314–657–1599 for assistance. To be considered for an air conditioner, seniors
or individuals with physical disabilities must not have a working air conditioner.

For help with a severe heat–related illness, call 911 immediately. Anyone overcome by heat
should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Additional tips on child safety and child injury
prevention can be found on the Safe Kids Worldwide Heat Stroke website.

Please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Extreme Heat website for safety–
related information on extreme heat. To receive updates on heat advisories and other important
alerts in the future, subscribe to text notifications at www.stlouis–mo.gov/notifystl.

Heat Advisory Issued 7.28.21

“We want to ensure that our customers stay safe and healthy as temperatures start to rise with the summer heat,” said Marty Lyons, chairman and president of Ameren Missouri. “Our partnership with Cooldownstlouis.org and Cooldownmissouri.org is a key part of that effort, particularly for seniors and those with medical conditions.”

This year’s air conditioner donation marks the 21st anniversary of Cooldownstlouis.org and Cooldownmissouri.org’s “Save our Seniors” (S.O.S) Cooling Summer Project. It is the 16th year of participation by Ameren Missouri, resulting in more than 9,000 window air conditioning units delivered to qualified seniors and people with disabilities across the region.

“Some seniors and neighbors with disabilities are still sheltered in their homes due to COVID-19, and it’s important that they stay cool. Many will do so because of the generosity of Ameren Missouri and the hard work of Cooldownstlouis.org,
Cooldownmissouri.org and its partnering agencies,” said Missouri State Senator Karla May, a new Cooldownmissouri.org board member also representing the state of Missouri.

“St. Louis summers have been known to be extremely hot, humid and often deadly,” said Tishaura Jones, the first African-American mayor of St. Louis and honorary chair of Cooldownstlouis.org. “Today, Ameren Missouri, a good corporate citizen, is donating 800 brand new energy efficient air conditioners to Cool Down St. Louis. We encourage our most vulnerable to turn on the air and stay safe this summer.

Today, many volunteers prepared donated units for statewide distribution to an already large waiting list of qualified seniors and clients with disabilities. Joining Lyons were Ameren Missouri volunteers, Cool Down board members Missouri State Senator Karla May; St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones; Fire Chief Dennis Jenkerson, Greater St. Louis Area Fire Chiefs Association; Michael P. McMillan, president and CEO, Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis Inc.; Corporate Treasurer Reverend Earl E. Nance Jr.; Linda Fritz, NECAC program director; and Cora Faith Walker, St. Louis County Chief Policy Officer; and popular St. Louis television meteorologists.

“When Ameren and Cool Down St. Louis team up, the community significantly benefits. That’s because Ameren takes a leadership role in charitable partnerships. They bring the financial resources, and Cool Down St. Louis has the drive; and passion to help keep our elderly neighbors safe each summer. The Urban League has been affiliated with Cool Down for 21 years, and they are good neighbors,” said Michael P. McMillan, president/CEO, Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, Inc. and a Cool Down executive board member.

Ameren Missouri resources are available for seniors and those with medical concerns. Customers and their families are encouraged to visit
AmerenMissouri.com/HealthAndSafety for information on Medical Equipment Registry (MER), the Caring Contact Program and energy assistance options including the Keeping Cool Program and low-income weatherization assistance.

∙Medical Equipment Registry

– Allows customers to register electrically operated life-sustaining medical equipment so Ameren Missouri can notify them about planned maintenance outages.

∙The Caring Contact Program

–Eligible customers may designate a person or agency for Ameren Missouri to contact prior to disconnection for nonpayment. Caring Contact helps protect the health and safety of older adults and people with disabilities who may need additional support in handling potential disconnection of service.

∙Keeping Cool Program

– Helps make summer energy bills more affordable for seniors, people with disabilities, the chronically ill or households with young children. It includes up to three monthly electric bill credits in the summer months to keep customers cool and safe.

∙Low-Income Weatherization Assistance

– Income-eligible homeowners and renters can request weatherization improvements to their homes through local agencies. The improvements include caulking, water heater jackets, weather stripping and insulation.

Older adults and people with disabilities, as well as low- to moderate-income families, are encouraged to apply for the energy assistance funds by visiting Cooldownstlouis.org and Cooldownmissouri.org or by calling 314.241.0001 or 314.657.1599, which are their hotlines for seniors and people with disabilities only.

“The first thing you need to know is that Cooldownstlouis.org save lives each summer. The second, good corporate neighbors like Ameren take a leadership role, providing resources like these precious life-saving energy efficient A/Cs,” said Fire Chief Dennis Jenkerson, representing the Fire Chiefs Association of Greater St. Louis. “I also encourage you to check on your senior neighbors, while social distancing. This includes wearing a mask, while visiting.”

The Cooldownstlouis.org S.O.S. Summer Project encourages area residents to check on their elderly neighbors to make sure their air conditioners are on and working. Cooldownstlouis.org and Cooldownmissouri.org will also be distributing 150,000 cooling cards with helpful summer tips, along with Ameren Missouri’s contact information, to connect customers with available resources.

“St. Louis County is delighted to hear the good news about Ameren providing these air-conditioners and the significant donation to Cooldownstlouis.org,” said Cora Faith Walker, St. Louis County Chief Policy Officer. “It’s all about neighbors helping neighbors. We encourage our County seniors to keep on those A/Cs, this summer.”

Energy assistance is available to Ameren Missouri customers who need help paying their bills. Visit AmerenMissouri.com/EnergyAssistance to learn about various support options, including federally funded COVID-19 relief programs. Select programs are offering increased income eligibility, allowing more Missourians to receive help even if they didn’t qualify previously.

Assistance and account management programs include:
● LIHEAP – The State of Missouri offers assistance for income-eligible customers through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). To apply online, visit myDSS.mo.gov/energy-assistance.
● Budget Billing Plan – Customer’s annual energy bill is averaged over the past year and a fixed amount is billed monthly, making it easier to budget. ● Pick A Due Date – Pick the day of the month that is most convenient for you to pay your Ameren energy bill.
● Energy-Efficiency Rebates – A variety of rebates are available to help reduce energy usage. Visit AmerenMissouriSavings.com for details.

About Cooldownstlouis.org and Cooldownmissouri.org
Cooldownstlouis.org is a bi-state non-profit dedicated to providing education and resources to help the most vulnerable citizens, especially seniors, low-income families and the physically disabled. The organization works with more than 34 agencies to make sure utility bills are paid and the community’s most vulnerable citizens have access to the energy-efficient air conditioners they need to stay safe.

About Ameren Missouri
Ameren Missouri has been providing electric and gas service for more than 100 years, and the company’s electric rates are among the lowest in the nation. Ameren Missouri’s mission is to power the quality of life for its 1.2 million electric and 132,000 natural gas customers in central and eastern Missouri. The company’s service area covers 64 counties and more than 500 communities, including the greater St. Louis area. For more information, visit Ameren.com/Missouri or follow us on Twitter at @AmerenMissouri or Facebook.com/AmerenMissouri.