Heating costs down; need for aid up
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By Kevin O'Connor Staff Writer - Published: November 29, 2009
When Richard Moffi became state fuel assistance program chief last year, heating oil was approaching $5 a gallon. Today the price has dropped by half. So why is Moffi's office giving out more aid than ever?
Vermont's Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program just paid out $16.9 million to some 15,900 households, all while continuing to accept applications until the end of February.
The state expects to help more than 27,000 families — topping last year's record by at least 1,000. Energy costs may be down, but in the worst economy since the Depression, the number of Vermonters left cold by fuel and electric bills is up.
"For low-income families or a senior woman living on survivor benefits of less than $900 a month, anything over $2 a gallon is a budget buster," Moffi says. "We're hearing more and more folks who've either lost a job or hours say, 'I've never had and don't like to ask for help, but I don't know how I'm going to get though the winter.'"
Moffi's office, part of the state Agency of Human Services, is command central in the battle against freezing temperatures, distributing federal money — an average of $1,143 per qualifying household — and directing others to community action agencies that dispense government crisis aid and private charitable funds from a host of sources.
Need help? Heating advocates say Vermonters should start by requesting some of the $25.6 million the state will receive from a $5.1 billion national LIHEAP fund. The four-page application — available by calling (800) 479-6151 or checking the Web site http://dcf.vermont.gov/esd/fuel assistance — asks for basic financial information. But there's no simple threshold for acceptance or denial.
"I'm always leery about giving an income-limit number because people will say, 'I'm over that,' and not bother to apply," says Moffi, who held his job from 1996 to 2002 before returning upon last year's financial downturn. "We'd rather have people spend 10 minutes to fill out the application and see if they qualify."
Take the retired Pownal couple who discovered the $1,452 a month they lived on last year was $22 too much to qualify for federal food assistance. The two nevertheless applied for fuel aid and soon received help with their $1,500 heating oil bill.
"The wife and I, we're of an era when you wouldn't let anyone know about your business," said the husband, who confirmed that by asking not to be named. "But with food and gas prices going through the roof, things are tough. You just have to swallow your pride and say, 'Please, I need help.'"
Last year, with skyrocketing energy costs, the state received nearly 10,000 more applications than usual (for a total of 41,100) and ultimately helped 5,000 more households (for a total of 26,300). This winter it expects slightly fewer requests but a record number of approvals.
The state pays aid directly to 450 certified suppliers of all types of heating fuel, electricity, wood and, in about a dozen cases, coal. Last year all benefited from an additional $13 million in federal contingency funds. Moffi doesn't anticipate a similar bonus this winter. As a result, he and other heating-aid advocates hope Vermonters will donate to local fuel assistance charities that help people who don't quality for LIHEAP funds.
"We don't want people running their tanks dry, endangering their heating systems and families," says Moffi, who urges clients to check their supply weekly.
The state's five private nonprofit community action agencies are set to distribute $2.5 million in federal crisis funding and donations now being collected by several regional energy providers:
- The Shareheat fund, sponsored by Central Vermont Public Service Corp., matches public contributions up to $143,200 in hopes of helping more than 1,000 households facing utility shutoffs.
- The WARMTH Support Program, sponsored by Green Mountain Power, Vermont Gas Systems and the Burlington Electric Department, also assists people who can't otherwise find aid in emergency situations.
- Split the Ticket, sponsored by the Vermont Fuel Dealers Association, matches public contributions in hopes of distributing 7,000 gallons of gas and oil to needy Vermonters.
Although heating-aid advocates want people to give generously, they say financial aid isn't the only way to cut energy costs. Moffi urges closing storm windows, caulking or covering drafty cracks, shutting unused fireplace flues and moving furniture away from heating ducts.
"I know a lot of folks are attached to their fuel supplier, but people should shop around for a lower price," he adds. "I would love an economy that puts all of us in social welfare out of business, but I don't think that's going to happen in my lifetime."
The Pownal husband agrees.
"I'm an old-fashioned guy who takes pen in hand to write a letter — I won't even type one," he says. "But we try to get the word out to people — put in for fuel assistance. It's very, very helpful."
kevin.oconnor@rutlandherald.com
BOX:
To give:
- CVPS Shareheat, 77 Grove St., Rutland, VT 05701
- WARMTH Support Program, c/o CVOEO, P.O. Box 1603, Burlington, VT 05402
- Split the Ticket, c/o VFDA, 250 Main St., Suite 301, Montpelier, VT 05602
To receive:
- Call (800) 479-6151 or check http://dcf.vermont.gov/esd/fuel assistance
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