Applications for heating assistance increase dramatically

Office averages 20

calls per day, compared to 2 or 3 a year ago

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- High heating costs this winter are hitting low wage earners and elderly and disabled people living on a fixed income, according Judy Sellner of the Brown County Energy Program office.

"I think there will be people in absolute dire situations," Sellner said. "The State of Minnesota Energy Assistance Office is discussing the issue."

Part of Sellner's job is to report cases to state field representatives.

"I just sent in a case about people living on $900 a month, who paid $600 in heating bills last year," Sellner said. "This year, with natural gas prices double what they were last year, these people will pay at least $1,200 in heating bills."

Sellner, who has worked with the energy assistance program for 18 years, fears some elderly persons may forced to sacrifice prescription drugs and/or food, to pay for heating.

The Brown County office has experienced a 14 percent increase in heating assistance applications this winter. Statewide, the increase is 11 percent.

However, those figures are likely to go even higher as people who have requested applications complete the process.

The energy office is averaging 20 calls per day for applications, compared to two or three calls per day during previous years, Sellner said.

As natural gas prices rise, and heating bills increase to cover the cost, Sellner expects even more applications for heating assistance.

"It's going to get worse," she said.

Help is on the way, but it is not expected to cover all the increase.

Unusually cold weather throughout the winter and early spring will mean an even tougher situation than the current one.

The State of Minnesota is expected to distribute an additional $12 million in heating assistance this winter.

How and when the money will be made available has not yet been decided, according to Sellner.

"It might be necessary to hang on to the money to get through March and April," Sellner said. "We need to find more (financial) resources. The state expects another 25,000 to 30,000 applications to be received by that time."

Higher heating costs are hitting everybody.

"My last bill went up exactly $100 from last year," Sellner said. "My husband and I expect a $350 bill next time. It's a lot of money for us ­ and we are both working."

Federally-funded energy assistance is based on household size and income for the three months prior to an application.

The three-month income limit for a single person is $4,364, and limits rise to $5,707 for a two-person household, $7,050 for three, $8,393 for four, $9,735 for five and $11,078 for six.

There are also asset restrictions.

The Brown County Energy Program office can be reached at 359-6504. Callers can leave their addresses to receive an application.

The Minnesota Energy Assistance Office can be called at 1-800-657-3805.

A Minnesota 'cold weather rule' applies from Oct. 15 to April 15.

Under the rule, utilities cannot disconnect residential electric service during the winter if a customer meets the following requirements:

1. Utility disconnection would affect the customer's primary heat source.

2. The customer declared inability to pay on forms provided by the utility.

3. Customer household income is less than 185 percent of the federal poverty level.

4. The customer's account is current from the billing period immediately prior to Oct. 15, or the customer entered into a payment schedule and is reasonably current with payments under the schedule.