Energy assistance will decrease for residents this fall/winter season
Energy Assistance Program
MARYLAND – Disadvantaged families may not receive as much help paying for their utility bills as in the past, and local organizations are trying to warn their clients early.
Organizers say changes recently made by Maryland’s Department of Human Services to its energy assistance programs have created some challenges for lower- and middle-class families, but there is one community action agency ensuring local households can gauge this situation.
Julie Peters is the Chief Communications Officer for Shore Up, Inc., a local non-profit dedicated to helping people who are struggling to get by. The Maryland Department of Human Services has made some changes when it comes to energy assistance, and according to them, they don’t necessarily benefit everyone.
Peters says the funding isn’t based on how many people apply, but how much funding is available. “Anyone receiving any kind of financial assistance from the government like food stamps, or TCA, they would be automatically eligible for the program… It also drastically increases the pool of applicants, which in turn makes the average benefit amount go down… they typically tend to get roughly the same amount every year, and this year that amount is being reduced by 50% -75%.”
Keith White has been the Energy Assistance Program Manager for the past 17 years. He says he can already foresee these funds won’t take people through the winter. “You may have been receiving a total of say between $1,000 and $1500 in assistance, this year you may get $300 to 400… If you want to voice your concern you need to go past me and go higher up and let them know that you know, were suffering.”
Both White and Peters say that when people get desperate, things can get dangerous. “They will resort to cheaper methods for heating their homes that may not be safe such as kerosene heaters or something that’s unvented,” says Peters. White end with, “If you don’t have enough to heat your home, you’re going to use your stove, you’re going to do whatever you can to survive. And a lot of times it’s not going to be safe, and God forbid, we don’t want any tragedies.”
Energy assistance covers electric and gas so residents could potentially be without both for this winter. They hope officials can work out a plan where those communities aren’t left in the cold. Shore Up suggest individuals to use their housing counseling program so they can help you and your family make a sustainable financial plan. They also help with things like reducing your credit score so you can have better financial opportunities. just visit their website or call (410) -749-1142.
