|
|
|
Julia Campbell never had to ask for help before.
But when the 62-year-old Ralls County resident was laid off from her customer service job five weeks ago, reality set in.
“I kept thinking ‘I can do this, I can make it,’” Campbell said. “Between the electric bills, the gasoline and my medications, I didn’t have it. I couldn’t make it happen.”
Campbell uses propane and electricity. The bills rose as colder weather set in.
“I had one space heater that I was dragging around from room to room,” she said. “I was wondering ‘How am I going to pay the electric bill if I have to keep this up all winter?’”
Campbell found help from the North East Community Action Corporation. NECAC paid part of her utility bills so that Campbell could budget money for other needs.
“I’m so thankful,” Campbell said. “Without them, I would freeze.”
NECAC Deputy Director Janice Robinson says Campbell is not alone.
The non-profit agency, which covers 12 Northeast Missouri counties, has gotten 1,100 more applications for utility assistance this year compared with the same period in 2008.
“There’s so much more need,” Robinson said. “The economy is causing a lot of new people to come into the office who’ve never had to ask for help before.”
NECAC administers the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program and the Energy Crisis Intervention Program.
LIHEAP offers one-time help based upon income, family size and type of utility. ECIP provides multiple payments of up to $800 for people who've gotten utility shut-off notices.
Douglass Community Services in Hannibal got $60,000 this year for utility assistance, and has distributed it to qualifying families quarterly. The next distribution is in January.
Executive Director Dave Dexheimer said the money goes quickly.
“It’s going to be a rough winter,” he said. “I don’t see it getting any better.”
The surge in applications for utility assistance has led to greater use of other Douglass services.
“There are a lot of new families in the food line because the utility costs have risen,” Dexheimer said. “It’s one of those things where you have to make choices.”
Campbell said getting assistance was a good decision, even if she was reluctant at first. She encourages others to call and discuss qualifying.
“Swallow your pride and get help if you need it,” Campbell advised.
NECAC’s winter assistance funding is supposed to last until May 31. Last year, it ran out in March.
“We encourage people not to wait to the last minute,” Robinson said.
Julia Campbell never had to ask for help before.
But when the 62-year-old Ralls County resident was laid off from her customer service job five weeks ago, reality set in.
“I kept thinking ‘I can do this, I can make it,’” Campbell said. “Between the electric bills, the gasoline and my medications, I didn’t have it. I couldn’t make it happen.”
Campbell uses propane and electricity. The bills rose as colder weather set in.
“I had one space heater that I was dragging around from room to room,” she said. “I was wondering ‘How am I going to pay the electric bill if I have to keep this up all winter?’”
Campbell found help from the North East Community Action Corporation. NECAC paid part of her utility bills so that Campbell could budget money for other needs.
“I’m so thankful,” Campbell said. “Without them, I would freeze.”
NECAC Deputy Director Janice Robinson says Campbell is not alone.
The non-profit agency, which covers 12 Northeast Missouri counties, has gotten 1,100 more applications for utility assistance this year compared with the same period in 2008.
“There’s so much more need,” Robinson said. “The economy is causing a lot of new people to come into the office who’ve never had to ask for help before.”
NECAC administers the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program and the Energy Crisis Intervention Program.
LIHEAP offers one-time help based upon income, family size and type of utility. ECIP provides multiple payments of up to $800 for people who've gotten utility shut-off notices.
Douglass Community Services in Hannibal got $60,000 this year for utility assistance, and has distributed it to qualifying families quarterly. The next distribution is in January.
Executive Director Dave Dexheimer said the money goes quickly.
“It’s going to be a rough winter,” he said. “I don’t see it getting any better.”
The surge in applications for utility assistance has led to greater use of other Douglass services.
“There are a lot of new families in the food line because the utility costs have risen,” Dexheimer said. “It’s one of those things where you have to make choices.”
Campbell said getting assistance was a good decision, even if she was reluctant at first. She encourages others to call and discuss qualifying.
“Swallow your pride and get help if you need it,” Campbell advised.
NECAC’s winter assistance funding is supposed to last until May 31. Last year, it ran out in March.
“We encourage people not to wait to the last minute,” Robinson said.
