Local families who normally receive federal assistance with utility bills are now thinking twice about turning up the thermostat. Utility companies are urging those families – and others who may need help for the first time – to apply for additional programs or give them a call.
“We saw an increase in phone calls by over 30 percent in our largest utility program, so the need for utility assistance is real,” said Alan Michel, Dollar Energy Fund COO.
Thousands of the most vulnerable households are facing the “heat or eat” dilemma, with the delay of both SNAP benefits and the start of LIHEAP, a federal energy assistance program…