Low-income families hit hard by heating costs

The statistics are familiar to everyone who reads a newspaper or watches the news on television. With the early onset of cold weather and the skyrocketing cost of oil and other heating fuels, many Mainers are simply unable to afford to heat their homes, while others must choose between food, medicine and heat.

The state estimates that 47,000 families will receive assistance from the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), funded by the federal government and administered by local agencies like the Washington-Hancock County Agency (WHCA) in this area. Other charitable efforts, such as Joseph Kennedy's program C known as Joe4Oil C also provide help to those in need.

Lee Ann Farley of Dennysville has a more personal perspective on the crisis. "We have a large, old farmhouse that is very cold. Neighbors helped us shingle half the roof last summer, because we couldn't afford to do it alone. We hang blankets over the doors, and we caulked all the windows and replaced an old door, and we keep our home at 56 degrees." The family receives help from the LIHEAP program, but "it does not last long at all. Back in the 1980s, we received $800 to buy firewood for the winter, and that was when wood was much cheaper."

The average benefit for LIHEAP recipients is estimated to be $579 this year, about the same as last year, enough to buy 187 gallons of oil, less than a month's worth for a typical home. "We have a wood stove and used it in the past, but the chimney does not have a liner. Our insurance company will not insure us if we burn wood," says Farley.

Judy Jones of Trescott receives help from LIHEAP and is waiting for the paperwork to apply for the Joe4Oil program. "We are senior citizens, and we tried to keep the thermostat at 62 degrees, but we just couldn't stand it. We never put the temperature any higher than 68 degrees," she said. This year, she added, "WHCA did not call like they said they would, when the LIHEAP money arrived." She is bothered that oil companies "charge $65 to $75 for a trip charge, if they bring oil and it's not the delivery day. If you are out of oil and the LIHEAP money comes in, people have to go without, until the next delivery day, or they will be charged $65 to $75 out of their assistance money."

In many area towns, companies deliver oil and propane one day a week, and some charge for deliveries on other days. Jones makes it clear whom she blames for the heating crisis. "Our government does not care. I don't care who hears me say it. Our government does not care if people go without heat." LIHEAP funding in the budget currently before the U.S. Congress is the same as the funding in 1988.

Bill Sawtelle operates the Whiting Food Pantry at the Three Angels Church. "I get so frustrated. All I can do is try to feed people. I'm lucky to get enough food to feed them, but we can't help pay for their heating, gas, electric," he says. "We have run out of emergency money to help people buy oil when they run out." He tells those in need to call WHCA for emergency assistance. Sawtelle also praises some local companies that go out of their way to help those in need, making less than minimum deliveries of oil. "I think it is wrong for oil companies to only deliver a minimum of 50 gallons. Companies should deliver whatever money people have for oil."

LIHEAP and other programs provide assistance for all heating fuels, including oil, which is the most common fuel used in this area, propane, wood or kerosene. Emergency assistance is also available from some town governments, charitable groups such as the Salvation Army, local churches and organizations. Joe4Oil offers a 40% discount on a one-time purchase of up to 100 gallons for those who qualify. People in need of assistance can call 211 for referrals, call the WHCA for LIHEAP and emergency assistance, and call 1-877-Joe4Oil to apply for that program.