PORTSMOUTH, N.H. (AP) – After weeks of frigid weather, agencies that help residents who have difficulty paying their heating bills are running out of money.
Rockingham Community Action is one of six agencies statewide that give out government-funded assistance, including helping those who can’t afford their heating bills.
Sharon Brody, RCA fuel assistance director, said right now, the agency is helping 3,000 Rockingham County households stay warm.
“We’re not here to cover all of the bill,” she said. “We’re here to give them some assistance to get them through the worst of the winter.”
RCA estimated that the average homeowner will spend $1,500 in fuel costs each winter. The organization is able to help with $600 each winter for those who need it.
But Brody said that most of the people helped this year have already gone through that amount.
“I have to refer these households to the cities and towns in Rockingham County, and their budgets are strained,” she said.
Brody said residents are then referred to social service organizations, and if that fails, her staff tries to deal with the oil companies, creating installment plans or delaying payment for some customers.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
