Rising fuel
costs create
need for help

BY MIKE HELM

Gov. Mike Easley released $10 million recently in additional public and private funds to help poor North Carolinians pay heating bills or weatherize their homes. More than $3 million of the money went to the Crisis Intervention Program (CIP).

The governor also announced that energy companies will match the state’s CIP program by providing $3.4 million in donations for use by low-income consumers statewide. In addition, the state will redirect $3.1 million in existing funding to weatherization programs.

Columbus County’s share of the extra funds was $34,000. Two weeks ago, when the Department of Social Services opened its doors to take applications for the additional money, the lobby was packed and all of the money was given away in one day.

Dramatic rises in fuel costs and an early cold snap are taking a toll on the poor, Commission Chairman Kip Godwin said.

When the county Board of Commissioners meets Tuesday, it will vote on a resolution sponsored by Washington County to ask for more federal aid to help poor rsidents pay heating costs. All 100 counties are being asked to pass the resolution, which will be sent to state and federal leaders.

In addition to CIP, the federal government helps with heating bills through the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP)

LIEAP checks go out once per year in February and are just $66. To qualify, an individual essentially has to meet the criteria for welfare programs such as food stamps.

Between 1982 and 2005, federal funding of the LIEAP program rose from $1.8 million to $2.2 million but that represents a dramatic decline in funding considering inflation and rising energy costs. The poor are getting far less money to help with energy costs than 20 years ago.

Most utility programs offer some type of charitable contribution program where customers and/or their employees can donate money that will go to other customers struggling to pay their bills.

Energy costs are expected to rise dramatically for the coming heating season, with natural gas prices rising more than 50 percent and heating oil and propane prices increasing more than 30 percent over last year’s prices. According to conservative estimates, these price increases will increase the average home utility bills by $300 to $400 over the course of the heating season.

Weatherization programs, which can save energy costs, are administered through DHHS. The weatherization program currently provides services to 3,500 low-income families. About 70 percent of recipients are elderly.