ANNAPOLIS – More low-income families are likely to apply for energy assistance programs in Maryland this year because of rising natural gas and oil prices and colder-than-normal temperatures expected this winter.
For Jean Search, 63, of Jessup, paying for heating costs this winter would be difficult, if not impossible, with only the widow’s pension she receives from her late husband’s Social Security.
Search is one of many low-income residents in Maryland, and around the country, looking to energy assistance programs for help.
The Maryland Energy Assistance Program, a federally funded program under the Maryland Department of Human Resources, Office of Home Energy Programs, is one of two programs designed to do just that.
The other program is the Electric Universal Service Program, a state program funded primarily by commercial and industrial services, as well as residential customer dollars, which helps low-income families pay electric bills.
“Most of us spend about 3 to 6 percent of our gross income on our energy, and we try and keep it the same proportional amount for low-income people,” said Mary Lou Kueffer, director of the Office of Home Energy Programs.
“Everyone has energy costs, but low-income people really struggle.”
Eligible low-income applicants can receive financial benefits from both programs by completing a single application through their local social services office.
To qualify for MEAP, applicants must meet income eligibility requirements.
For example, a family of four may not earn more than $2,356 monthly and $28,275 annually to qualify.
The same income requirements apply for EUSP, but applicants must also have an electric bill in their name to be eligible.
During fiscal year 2004, 80,509 applicants received benefits from the Maryland Energy Assistance Program, and 72,930 applicants were served by the Electric Universal Service Program.
Officials are expecting to serve at least the same number of people during fiscal year 2005, which began July 1, but are prepared to serve more.
“We expect there will be more people applying for these programs because of higher costs, utility bills and an anticipated colder winter than normal,” said Kueffer.
About $1.9 billion is allocated for energy assistance programs for all states. Maryland expects to receive about $30 million, up from $28.7 million received last year.
“Our state has never run out of money,” said Kueffer. “We’ve come up close, but we’ve always been able to fund all applicants that applied for the program.”
The market for natural gas continues to remain tight for the third straight year and crude oil prices are surpassing $51 a barrel.
The cost to heat homes is expected to rise by 15 percent this winter, according to the Energy Information Administration.
Low-income advocates hope families will take advantage of the various services and assistance programs available to them.
“Not only should low-income people attempt to seek energy assistance for their homes, they should also attempt to seek other programs they may be eligible for, like food stamps,” said Sue Present, executive director of the National Low Income Energy Consortium.
According to a study commissioned by the consortium, a significant number of low-income households often forego necessary services like medical care or even school supplies for their children, to pay for energy supply.
“These issues are so closely joined,” said Present. “People are foregoing food in order to pay their energy bills.”
Present also said there are far more people needing energy assistance than funds available.
“There is a huge gap between the number of low-income families in need of assistance and the number that can be served with federal funding.”
According to the study, during 2003 only 13 percent of the more than 34.6 million households eligible for the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program received assistance.
Without such assistance, Search said she wouldn’t know what to do.
“I would have a heck of a time.”
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