Social Service Agencies Gear Up For "Tough Year"

Greater need, less money.

That was the message at the annual session held by Connecticut Light & Power and Yankee Gas for social service agencies to learn about fuel assistance options and procedures. With federal budget cuts and with an unemployment rate that has been hovering above 9 percent for almost two years, social service providers in Connecticut anticipate a greater need for help this year and less money to work with.

"This budget is austere," said Charles Anderson of the Connecticut Department of Social Services. "I don't want to sugar coat it, it's going to be a tough year."

Anderson said federal aid designated for fuel assistance in Connecticut is projected to be around $61.6 million to $80 million, which is significantly less than last year's $115.5 million allotment.

Anderson also projected 5,000 more households will be eligible for assistance this year. Last year 117,000 households in Connecticut were eligible for fuel assistance and 122,000 households are projected to be eligible this year. As a result, eligibility requirements for fuel assistance have been raised and the amount handed out has been reduced.

"That is how you spread the money and that's why we're spread so thin," Anderson said.

CL&P has hosted the annual training for more than 20 years and with approximately 150 people at the forum, this year's attendance was good, according to CL&P spokesman Mitch Gross.

"It's a way for these agencies to get answers," he said of the forum. "And, to remind them that we have these programs and services."

"I think this is going to be a very, very difficult year for families," said Cheryl Lozanov of Thames Valley Council for Community Action, a private, nonprofit social service agency in New London and Norwich. "People just aren't able to pay their bills and they don't."

But, Gross said not paying or not calling is the worst thing a customer can do because the company has payment options available all year around.

"Be proactive, you don't have to wait until the first snowflake to call," he said.

The CL&P and Yankee Gas energy assistance programs available are:

• the winter protection plan, which protects hardship customers from having their service shutoff from Nov. 1 to May 1, 2012 for non-payment, call 1-800-286-2828 for more information. Yankee Gas customers can call 1-800-438-2278.
• the weatherization program is an energy conservation program that will replace light bulbs, identify and seal leaks and drafts, install water saving faucets and eligible customers could qualify for energy star appliances and insulation assistance. Call 1-877-947-3873 for more information.
• the matching payment program provides year-around electric or gas service and possible forgiveness of past-due balances. CL&P customers can call 1-800-286-2828 for more information; Yankee Gas customers can call 1-800-438-2278.
• and, the NUStart program, which is a 3-year forgiveness program of budgeted payments. Call 1-800-286-2828 for more information.