Article Options

Energy assistance funds holding up in region

BY JOHN D. HOMAN, THE SOUTHERN

Sunday, December 23, 2007 10:24 PM CST

WEST FRANKFORT - Southern Illinois residents seeking help in paying electric bills this winter are in luck if they have not already received a one-time seasonal payment and meet the proper income guidelines.

A good portion of Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program funding remains available through the Crosswalk Community Action agency in West Frankfort, Illinois Department of Employment Security offices in Marion and Mount Vernon and the Western Egyptian Economic Opportunity Council in Steeleville.

"Our outreach sites are closed until Jan. 2, but at that time we will again be accepting appointments and taking applications for funding," said energy coordinator Kim Rutherford with Crosswalk Community Action.

Since the new funding period began in September, Rutherford said her agency has awarded approximately 3,000 clients an average payment of $425. The funding level varies based on combined family income, the number of family members in a household and type of energy used in the home.

Rutherford said Crosswalk has exhausted its state funding supply, which totaled a little more than $1 million this fiscal year. About that same amount of money, however, remains in federal funds.

Rutherford said there is also some rate relief money left from AmerenCIPS. To qualify for a one-time payment of $150, applicants must be Ameren customers and meet certain income guidelines, which are less stringent than LIHEAP applicants.

Moreover, there is a hardship program for Ameren customers available to senior citizens or residents with documented medical problems, the unemployed and for families where there has been a recent death reported. Again, income guidelines apply, but are not nearly as stringent as LIHEAP applicants.

Crosswalk serves Franklin, Williamson and Jefferson counties; Western Egyptian serves Jackson, Monroe, Perry and Randolph counties.

"We've spent about 50 percent of our allocated funds," said energy coordinator Debbie Thies with the Steeleville-based Western Egyptian agency. "But we have about $1 million left."

Earlier this month, Gov. Rod Blagojevich, along with governors from Wisconsin, Indiana, North Dakota and Kansas, called on Congress to add $1 billion in emergency funding for LIHEAP for fiscal year 2008, which if approved, would block President Bush's proposed cuts.

"As temperatures continue to fall and harsh winter weather hits the Midwest, we must continue to do everything we can to ensure that families are warm and safe," Blagojevich said. "I am joining my fellow Midwest governors in calling on Congress to provide additional funding for the energy assistance program so families do not lose their heat during the coldest part of the year. We want to urge Illinois families who have not already applied for energy assistance to do so as soon as possible."

john.homan@thesouthern.com / 351-5805