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July 25, 2008

Franklin County agencies ready to fight winter challenges

Franklin County assesses predicaments for winter

By DENISE A. RAYMO

MALONE -- Neighbor helping neighbor, food-stamp outreach and directing people to emergency aid are the keys to Franklin County's preparations for winter.

A conference Thursday pulled together legislators, county service agencies and other organizations to see where the county stands to combat what is expected to be a tough and expensive heating season.

And more proactive measures will be discussed when some of the same officials meet Aug. 12 to identify possible gaps in coverage and services that could occur in the thick of the winter and how best to minimize them.

HELP FROM HEAP

Participants heard about the Home Energy Assistance Program, where income-eligible households get a one-time maximum fuel credit of $585 for the season but can apply for an additional $700 in emergency-fuel help and a $135 voucher to prevent electricity interruptions.

HEAP is awarded to all food-stamp recipients and those on public assistance, no matter the heating source, so those eligible could include wood and wood-pellet users and propane customers.

Benefit applications will be mailed on Aug. 25, but no money will be released until the program starts on Nov. 3.

MIDDLE-CLASS MONEY

For the first time, according to Ona Rushford, director of financial services at the Department of Social Services, the county might also have access soon to another pool of money that could help middle-class families with their heating costs by raising the income-eligibility level to cover more households.

"Most of our workers are not eligible for anything, and we're hoping this other pot of money will help them."

An educational push is on to get more people to go on food stamps, since everyone who qualified automatically gets HEAP, which means families saving on grocery bills will have more to put toward fuel and other expenses.

WEATHERIZATION

Hand in hand with HEAP is the weatherization and EmPower programs administered by ComLinks, where income-eligible and senior-citizen households can get a maximum of $4,500 in home winterization done to increase energy efficiency and replace aging refrigerators, freezers and hot-water heaters with energy-efficient ones.

Each year, about 65 homes are weatherized, but the waiting list has more than 200 names.

CHECK ON RESIDENTS

County Manager James Feeley encouraged department heads to contact the media to get the word out about programs and services. Many representatives are willing to speak with community groups or civic organizations about eligibility requirements and answer questions about their programs.

And neighbors and family members watching out for one another is equally important.

Regular visits to the frail, disabled or homebound should be made, and emergency-contact numbers to reach county agencies are available through fire departments, the State Police and village police departments if the person needs help.

Several educational booths and displays set up during the Franklin County Fair from Aug. 2 to 10 share information about services that they or loved ones can use. A Web site at www.mybenefits.com helps people see what benefits they might be entitled to and where employers can learn more to pass on to their staff.

FIXED RENTS

One segment of the community that won't see any help is rental-property owners who -- under federal housing rules -- cannot raise their fixed rent to have tenants contribute to soaring heating bills.

Loretta Fish said she paid nearly $4,500 in fuel costs last year at two apartment buildings she owns. She began to tear up as she explained how she fears she will not be able to keep up with the costs this winter on top of the $8,000 she pays in taxes.

She said her tenants get HEAP benefits but she doesn't see the money, and because the utility bills are not in their names, there is no assistance available there.

Fish was advised by other property owners to kick her current tenants out, then raise the rent or rewire the houses so each apartment pays for its own utilities.

But she said the expense of the conversions would be too costly.

draymo@pressrepublican.com

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