- More people apply for energy assistance to help with heating, By Julie Schmit, March 1, 2010, USA Today: “A record number of U.S. households are applying for help to pay home heating bills with 17 states fielding application requests that are up more than 20% from last year, the National Energy Assistance Directors’ Association says. Almost 9 million U.S. households are expected to need help paying winter energy bills. That’s up 15% from the record-setting 7.7 million last year, the association says. Next year may be even worse, when more than 10 million households are likely to need help, given continued weakness in the economy and the swelling ranks of the longer-term unemployed, says Mark Wolfe, the association’s executive director…”
- Requests for heat aid rise, By Aaron Nathans, March 2, 2010, News Journal: “Applications for heating assistance in Delaware are up 10 percent over last year, an increase that mirrors the record number of U.S. households applying for help to pay home heating bills. Seventeen states say requests are up more than 20 percent from last year, the National Energy Assistance Directors’ Association said. Almost 9 million U.S. households are expected to need help paying winter energy bills. That’s up 15 percent from the record-setting 7.7 million last year, the association said. Delaware had 16,446 applicants through the end of February, said Leslie Lee, management analyst for the Delaware Division of State Service Centers…”
Tag: Utilities
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program
Applications for help on heat bills rise by 15%, By Erik Eckholm, February 22, 2010, New York Times: “The number of households applying for home heating assistance has climbed to record levels for the third straight year, rising by 15 percent to a projected 8.8 million this winter, state energy officials said Monday. This compares with almost 7.7 million recipients last year and 5.7 million in 2008. Average heating costs have declined slightly since 2009, and the increase in applications reflects, in part, the mounting troubles of those suffering prolonged unemployment, including many people who had not sought the aid in the past, said Mark Wolfe, director of the National Energy Assistance Directors’ Association, which represents state aid officials in Washington…”
Home Energy Assistance and Utility Shutoffs
- More people struggling to stay warm, taxing agencies, By Steve Neavling, February 2, 2010, Detroit Free Press: “Working just eight hours a week, Cynthia Caruthers can barely afford to keep her heat on for a few hours a day. ‘I’ve never had anything like this happen to me,’ said Caruthers, 42, who lives with her 14-year-old son in Detroit and can’t find a better job. ‘It’s scary.’ Caruthers is among an increasing number of metro Detroiters at risk of losing heat this winter because they either can’t find work or are struggling with small paychecks. Compared with last year, the problem this winter is particularly brutal: The number of unemployed residents rose 33%. State and local agencies are responding with extra money and resources to help down-on-their-luck families pay their utility bills, but officials fear it won’t be enough…”
- Utilities ordered to ease shutoffs, By Ryan Carter, February 4, 2010, San Gabriel Valley Tribune: “The California Public Utilities Commission on Thursday required utility companies to curb a trend toward increased power shut-offs at a time when many customers are having a tough time paying the bills. Commissioners unanimously required Rosemead-based Southern California Edison, Pacific Gas & Electric, San Diego Gas & Electric and Southern California Gas Co. to inform customers with past-due bills – but who can keep current on their current payments – that they have three months to arrange a plan to pay the utility. That could be extended to 12 months depending on a customer’s situation, Commissioner Michael Peevey said. To further ease the payment burden, any disconnected customer who has established credit with a utility would not be required to pay reconnection fees…”