Jan 13, 2009 7:40 pm US/Eastern
CBS 2 HD Has Your Home Heating Costs Help
We've Spoken To Experts That May Get You The Assistance You Really Need During These Tough Times
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
Plummeting temperatures and people more cash strapped than ever are combining to make for a rough winter. But there is help for those who haven't been able to pay their heating bills.
Rosa Walker is facing a tough choice, paying her mortgage or keeping warm this winter.
"We're facing a lot of big problems, probably electric cut off by now if I didn't have these funds coming in," Walker said.
And Demis Ramos, a single mother who lives in Fort Lee, N.J., says she maxed out her credit cards after losing her nursing job, and can't afford her gas bill.
"I need help right now," Ramos said.
Those hard times are packing the waiting room at N.J. Shares in Bergen County, where they've seen a 35 percent increase in people looking for a season's worth of heating assistance, or a one-time grant to keep them from the threat of termination.
"We are seeing a tremendous increase in number of clients coming in the front door," said N.J. Shares' Elaine Miller.
Federal and local funds are available to those in need. Payments vary, but a family of four making a maximum of $47,700 can receive up to $2,026. The maximum grant is $3,000.
"We see the pain on the faces of the clients coming through the door every day," Miller said.
And in the meantime, to trim that heating bill before it gets unmanageable, open blinds during the day to let sunlight in, move furniture away from heating vents and weather-strip all windows and doors.
New York and Connecticut also have programs offering help to homeowners having trouble with their heating bills. We've put links to those agencies
here..
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