Sometimes life has a roller-coaster feel to it. We're rolling along, happy and healthy. Your job is fairly interesting and it pays enough to keep you afloat and give you some of the perks you've always wanted. And then the roller-coaster begins the journey downward. Unseen situations can
combine, both in and out of your control. This can be a combination of layoffs,
downsizing, job loss, credit card debt, enormous winter utility bills, dying automobiles, etc.
The bottom line is that you are aversely affected and it can make you feel emotionally trashed.
This winter, if you find that you don't have enough money to pay your utility
bills or you're being threatened with shutoff notices, there are still a few
places to turn. There are federal and state agencies that can assist you
with winter energy bills. Extreme cold can be dangerous to your family and
it can cause major damage from burst water pipes. It's best to find some help before
anything happens that can cause injury or huge repair fees.
The federal government has the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
(LIHEAP) which may be able to help. There are base guidelines to qualify but
even if you don't qualify, almost every state contact should be able to point
you to organizations that can help.
The link below leads to helpful sources of information for most states.
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/liheap/states.htm
The general public should use the public inquiry telephone number
if available for their State. That number may provide the public with
information about the State's program much quicker than the LIHEAP agency
number. Further information about a State's LIHEAP program can be obtained from
State LIHEAP web sites where available.
In Michigan, a particularly helpful organization has been T.H.A.W. - The
Heat and Warmth Fund. Home heating bills are up 19 percent this winter and 37 percent over the past
two years and that has put a strain on families and the agencies that try to help.
You may contact T.H.A.W. for assistance or donations at: http://www.thawfund.org
If you need assistance, Call!
