FL Housing Services Offers Walk-in Assistance for Utility Payments

March 6, 2020 – Florida’s Citrus County Housing Services will now be accepting walk-in energy assistance applications. The walk-in appointment will be available Mondays, March 16 and March 30, at the Citrus County Resource Center. Utility assistance applications are generally only accepted by appointment, due to the demand for utility assistance ion Citrus County.

CT Hosting Outreach Event for Energy Assistance Programs

February 28, 2020 – Connecticut’s Operation Fuel, United Illuminating and The Connecticut Association for Community Action will be hosting an outreach event to raise awareness about energy assistance programs

Utility Assistance Day in New Jersey on March 4

February 21, 2020 – Residents in Monmouth County, NJ who are struggling to pay their utility bills have an opportunity to apply for assistance on ‘Utility Assistance Day,’ hosted by the Office of the Senator. The event is on Wednesday, March 4, between 4 and 7 p.m.

Michigan BWCA Hosts Annual Walk for Warmth Event

February 14, 2020 – Michigan’s Blue Water Community Action Agency (BWCA) is hosting the annual Walk for Warmth Event on February 29, 2020. The event spreads awareness about the need for energy assistance in Michigan. Funds raised are used for BWCA Emergency Utility Assistance.

The walk includes volunteers and staff from BWCA, school and church groups, corporate sponsors, elected officials and others. Participants are provided with breakfast following the two-mile walk.

DHHS Releases LIHEAP-Related Action Transmittals

February 7, 2020 – The Department of Energy Assistance (DEA) has issued action transmittals to LIHEAP Grantees, and other interested parties, to communicate actions needed to take concerning their program(s).

The action transmittals include the following:

OCS Issues Dear Colleague Letter on FY2020 Compliance Monitoring Schedule

January 31, 2020 – The Office of Community Services (OCS) issued a dear colleague letter regarding FY 2020 compliance review monitoring visits to Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) grantees. For FY 2020, seven states, one U.S. territory, and two tribal grantees will be reviewed.

Energy Outreach Colorado Weatherizes 1,000 Homes

January 27, 2020 – Colorado’s energy assistance program, Energy Outreach Colorado, has provided 1,000 low-income households with weatherization assistance. The assistance is provided by Colorado’s Affordable Residential Energy (CARE) program.

VT Ski for Heat Event Hosts 20th Annual Benefit

January 11, 2020 – The 20th annual Ski for Heat event will be held in Vermont on January 11th. The Ski for Heat event raises money to assist low-income Vermont residents in paying their heating bills.

Over the past 19 years, the Ski for Heat event has raised over $425,000 to help low-income residents pay their winter utility bills. The event features live music and is one of the most anticipated events in the area by those who attend.

$50 Million Increase for LIHEAP FY 2020 Funding

December 20, 2019 – An increase for FY 2020 funding amounts has been announced for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). FY 2020 funding has increased $50 million to $3.74 billion.

DEFG Releases Findings of Annual Consumer Survey

December 13, 2019 – The Distributed Energy Financial Group (DEFG), has released a consumer survey report on how to best serve low-income customers in the utility sector. The report concludes there is a need for strategy in addressing utility bill affordability in low-income households.

The findings of the report show that forty-eight percent of the respondents indicated trouble paying utility bills and revealed that employed residents indicated a “higher level of trouble,” than unemployed residents.

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