The United Way of Bruce Grey is finding more people are struggling to keep up with utility costs each year.
New data from the United Way’s Utility Assistance Program shows this past year, just over 300 households were supported through the program to stay connected to heat and electricity. These numbers also include 236 children and 106 seniors, with the number of senior requests doubling compared to the previous winter.
The data also shows how early people are falling behind financially.
United Way Executive Director Francesca Dobbyn says, “What we seeing in our data with our Utility Assistance Program is people are not catching up in the summer. They are coming out of the winter with utility debt and they are not catching up, so they are gong back into winter with utility debt. People are approaching us sooner for our program, you can only access our program once every 12 months so we are seeing a lot more people coming back and saying what else we could do to help them with their energy costs. They are challenged with the fact that they already owe money from the previous winter.”
The number of requests for assistance last January rose by 27 per cent, while the number in February nearly doubled compared to the year before.
“The real concern here is that while we have a disconnection ban around natural gas and electricity through the winter, that does end in May and if you can’t stay caught up, you will lose your electricity. The other challenge with propane, furnace oil and cordwood is that companies will stop delivering, there is nothing to compel somebody. If you have run out of heat, you don’t have the money, and you have debt, those companies don’t have to deliver and you can be without heat in the dead of winter,” says Dobbyn.
She recommends people who are struggling to keep up with their utility bills to call 211. The resource can provide details on utility and energy assistance programs, supports for children and families, resources for seniors, budgeting and financial literacy services, housing and emergency program, and fuel and winter heating supports.
Additionally, anyone wanting to support community members facing utility insecurity can donate online here.