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Area agencies that offer utility assistance expect record numbers of applicants for the winter heating season.
“It’s going to be tough,” said Dave Dexheimer of Douglass Community Services in Hannibal.
“It’s going to be very, very hectic,” agreed Janice Robinson of the North East Community Action Corporation, which covers 12 counties.
Many people are seeking help for the first time.
“You’re seeing that middle-income group that’s hitting the poverty guideline,” Robinson said. “They’ve never had to come in before.”
Douglass gets 15 to 20 calls a day about energy assistance, and the weather is just starting to turn cooler.
“We get much more than any (agency) can handle,” Dexheimer said. “It’s been steady all year.”
NECAC will start taking applications for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program starting Thursday and the Energy Crisis Intervention Program on Nov. 1.
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 offers help to households with shut-off notices through a state Emergency Homeless Prevention grant, and should have funding in late October.
Last winter, NECAC provided utility assistance to 4,000 more families than it did the year before.
Douglass is operating with about $40,000 fewer dollars this year compared with 2008.
Agencies are doing all they can to stretch resources. Limited help may be available from Salvation Army chapters and churches.
NECAC urges people to make appointments early and visit the agency’s county service centers to learn about other programs.
“Don’t wait,” Robinson said. “We encouage them to come into the office so we can do a full assessment.”
Dexheimer said a little old-fashioned compassion will go a long way toward easing the suffering this winter.
“Folks need to watch out for their neighbors a little more,” he said. “Pull together and help them.”
Area agencies that offer utility assistance expect record numbers of applicants for the winter heating season.
“It’s going to be tough,” said Dave Dexheimer of Douglass Community Services in Hannibal.
“It’s going to be very, very hectic,” agreed Janice Robinson of the North East Community Action Corporation, which covers 12 counties.
Many people are seeking help for the first time.
“You’re seeing that middle-income group that’s hitting the poverty guideline,” Robinson said. “They’ve never had to come in before.”
Douglass gets 15 to 20 calls a day about energy assistance, and the weather is just starting to turn cooler.
“We get much more than any (agency) can handle,” Dexheimer said. “It’s been steady all year.”
NECAC will start taking applications for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program starting Thursday and the Energy Crisis Intervention Program on Nov. 1.
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 offers help to households with shut-off notices through a state Emergency Homeless Prevention grant, and should have funding in late October.
Last winter, NECAC provided utility assistance to 4,000 more families than it did the year before.
Douglass is operating with about $40,000 fewer dollars this year compared with 2008.
Agencies are doing all they can to stretch resources. Limited help may be available from Salvation Army chapters and churches.
NECAC urges people to make appointments early and visit the agency’s county service centers to learn about other programs.
“Don’t wait,” Robinson said. “We encouage them to come into the office so we can do a full assessment.”
Dexheimer said a little old-fashioned compassion will go a long way toward easing the suffering this winter.
“Folks need to watch out for their neighbors a little more,” he said. “Pull together and help them.”
