It’s not even January yet and heating assistance funds are gone

In many parts of the nation, low temps and depressed local economies have combined to drain heating assistance funds.  Before the really cold weather arrives, many local heating assistance agencies are scraping the bottom of the piggy bank to help just  a few more needy families.

In southern Indiana and western Kentucky, programs have either run out, or are close to tapping out heating assistance funds. Sources in Owensboro, Kentucky report

Over 4,200 clients have walked into the Help Office this year. Of those clients, $94,000 was spent on keeping utilities on during the winter months.

Many other places like Audubon Area Community Services has already ran out of heating assistance funding for this year. www.news25.us/Global/story.asp?S=13704725

A Georgiaagency notes that funding has been drastically cut, compared to last year. More than 200 people lined up for the last chance this season to receive heating assistance. WMAZ is reporting that a local assistance agency says federal heating assistance funding was cut by over 40 percent.

Despite the apparent need, many consumers believe their fellow utility users are wasting energy, or are not assuming the responsibility for  weather proofing their homes or apartments.

A Lafayette, Indiana media outlet is reporting that the problem is Congress.

Mark Wolfe, a spokesman for the National Energy Assistance Directors Association, said in an e-mail to member agencies on Wednesday that a bill moving through Congress, which includes funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program in 2011, is likely to be passed.

Until that funding is approved, heating assistance nationwide will be in danger of running out of funding. Meanwhile, some foundations and other funders are stepping up to the plate to fill in the funding gap. 

An East Coast utility company, through its foundation, has donated $265,000 for  energy assistance funding. Local media outlets say this jumpstarts many area utility assistance programs, particularly because this year’s winter is expected to be more severe than last year.

This latest contribution comes at a time when low-income advocates say they are worried about keeping low-income families warm through the winter, which is expected to be colder in the Northeast. Congress has yet to finalize funding the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, and needy families are currently getting about half the aid that they got last year.

In Eau Clair, Wisconsin, the combination of cold weather and a poor economy have the unemployed on edge.  With jobless benefits running out and less money to pay the bills, there are thousands of people who simply don’t know where the money to pay the heating bill will come from.

The county says many of those people are unemployed, and are unsure of how they’ll pay for heating costs, once their jobless benefits run out. “Definitely nervous,” said Jane Olson with the county’s Human Services Department. “Not knowing when the next shoe is going to drop you know, what else can I apply for? We always set them up and say okay let’s look at your whole scenario, we’re looking at energy today but you can also maybe apply for food share or childcare (SOURCE: WQOW)

On the other hand,  while money is running out, Chicago’s WGN is reporting that only 35 percent of those who qualify for heating assistance actually apply.  That being the case, Chicagoreceived $45 million in heating assistance funding.

One wonders how much money the federal government would have to cough up, or what local agencies would do if everyone who qualified for heating assistance actually applied.