Less funding for energy assitance

By SCOTT NILES Courier staff writer

September 27, 2007 11:55 pm

— OTTUMWA — Even with the recent approval of an additional $2 million in federal funding for heat and energy assistance, the amount of funding available to the Iowans will still be less than in previous years.
Last year, the average low-income household in Iowa received roughly $317 from various assistance programs statewide. This year, the amount will average around $300, according to Jerry McKim, chief of the Energy Assistance Bureau of the Iowa Department of Human Rights in Des Moines.
“I don’t want to discourage anyone from signing up for the program. Don’t get me wrong, it helps out tremendously. I just don’t think we are going to be able to provide as much in assistance to people as we have in the previous years,” he said.
“It has gone down each year,” McKim continued. “Basically, bottom line is that this is a critically essential program and it is underfunded. Unfortunately prices of natural gas and other fuels have increased four to five times. Some of our most viable citizens, seniors and people with kids, will forgo a lot of other amenities in attempts to keep up with utilities.”
According to Judith Engle, the weatherization and energy assistance director for Southeast Iowa Economic Development Association, Alliant Energy electric rate will continue to increase gradually over the next year. The exact amount is unknown at this time, but Engle predicts it will be detrimental to those in southern Iowa.
“Most people have had a hard enough time already and now with the rates going even higher, it is going to get even more difficult and I expect we will have more people applying for assistance this year,” she said.
Last year SIEDA received nearly $2 million in assistance funding; they are hoping for the same amount this year.
“At the moment we don’t know what we are going to get this year. The House and Senate haven’t passed the appropriations bill yet, but they have a proposal out that will keep the funding the same as last year,” McKim said.
This year, Engle said SIEDA was able to assist nearly 5,500 households with their heat and energy bills. There were still those that had to be turned away.
“The program could always use more funding,” she said.
Engle said the assistance programs are not designed to pay someone’s entire heating and energy bill, rather just assist with about $300 extra money.
“They are still responsible for the rest,” she said. “It’s a one-time payment.”
The Ottumwa Salvation Army has also helped those in need with their heat and rent bills, but on a smaller scale to SIEDA and local churches.
“There’s only so much any of the entities can do,” said Capt. Jamie Pennington. “I believe even if you take all the churches and social service organizations in the area, it still wouldn’t be enough to meet the demand.
“The money [Salvation Army dispenses] is usually gone within the first day or two,” he said. “After that we are able to offer people food boxes. We always have those.”
McKim, Engle and Pennington said helping those in need is a constant struggle.
“It happens every year,” McKim said. “The demand for assistance is constantly increasing and it seems that the amount of funding is slowly decreasing.”
Scott Niles can be reached at (641) 683-5360 or via e-mail at sjniles@mchsi.com.

Energy assistance
For more information, contact Judith Engle at SIEDA at (641) 682-8741 and/or Capt. Jamie Pennington at (641) 682-7597

$2M added to Iowa energy program
DES MOINES (AP) — Another $2 million in federal funds will help low-income people in Iowa pay their winter heating bills this year, Sen. Tom Harkin said.
Harkin said the money is part of $131 million the Bush administration released in emergency money for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program — LIHEAP.
Funding for the program in Iowa ran out, cutting the average award in the state last winter by 30 percent.
Harkin said he urged the administration to make more money available.
“With chilling fall and winter seasons around the corner, thousands of Iowans who rely on this crucial program will require assistance to make ends meet,” Harkin said.