Money to help families pay energy bills is gone

[newbeliver]

http://www.wtopnews.com/?nid=25&sid=1403878

WASHINGTON - Call it another sign of the times: Maryland is pulling the plug on funds to help low income families pay their energy bills.

Terri Czarski, with the Office of the People's Council, says this is the first time the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) has run out of money before the end of the fiscal year in Maryland. That means federal assistance won't be available again until July 1 for low income people or the elderly.


I hate to see what happens this summer in the Washington area (this includes parts of Maryland and Norther Virginia.). With people not being able to pay their utilities there will be no air condition and it can be very hot in humid in the Washington area epsecially in July and August.

[writersmom]

They used to run out of money every year in the state we were living in.

I know it is illegal to turn off heat/elec during the cold months in homes with small children or the elderly in certain states. Not sure how this would apply to air-conditioning. I have never lived in an area that was so hot that everyone had air conditioning. Would the lack of it be dangerous to the young and elderly?

Not trying to be stupid here, just not sure.

[Mezuzas]

yes, in some areas there have been high amounts of elderly death due to heat.

[HSmomto4]

They used to run out of money every year in the state we were living in.

I know it is illegal to turn off heat/elec during the cold months in homes with small children or the elderly in certain states. Not sure how this would apply to air-conditioning. I have never lived in an area that was so hot that everyone had air conditioning. Would the lack of it be dangerous to the young and elderly?

Not trying to be stupid here, just not sure.

Yes it is VERY dangerous and yes they still shut it off. Once you become dependant on AC you can't turn your AC off in the summer and be OK. We have people die every year with heat strokes in Florida.

[lilbitsyspider]

I am disappointed that the state will no longer help people in need with energy assistance. But here in the south no matter what month it is, you don't pay your bill your power is off usually in 3 to 4 days.

[BelovedChild]

I know that this sounds silly, but you can survive without airconditioning. People did so in pioneer times.

Here in Queensland, Australia, we often have extremely hot summers. Not everyone has air con. In the days before my family had air-con, we used our ceiling fans, we opened ourwindows, we drank plenty of water, used natural shade outside, went swimming in the local pool. We did chores early and late so that we rested in the middle of the day. In the days before our drought (still on level 6 restrictions) kids would play with the hose. By the way, we only use the aircon ons oppressively hot days.

Healthy people can cope with the heat. It is the sick and the elderly who would have problems. It is time that we stopped feeling sorry for ourselves and learn to get by with less.

Winter heat and energy is another matter in a snow climate.

[BeNotAfraid]

I know that this sounds silly, but you can survive without airconditioning. People did so in pioneer times.

Here in Queensland, Australia, we often have extremely hot summers. Not everyone has air con. In the days before my family had air-con, we used our ceiling fans, we opened ourwindows, we drank plenty of water, used natural shade outside, went swimming in the local pool. We did chores early and late so that we rested in the middle of the day. In the days before our drought (still on level 6 restrictions) kids would play with the hose. By the way, we only use the aircon ons oppressively hot days.

Healthy people can cope with the heat. It is the sick and the elderly who would have problems. It is time that we stopped feeling sorry for ourselves and learn to get by with less.

Winter heat and energy is another matter in a snow climate.

Every time we have power outages in the summer, at least in the southeast or midwest, there are A LOT elderly people that die. We do need to make sure we are taking care of our elderly family and neighbors. They are so vulnerable. My grandpa is kind of an anamoly. He is almost 80 and still spends the entire day out on his boat fishing in Florida. 100 degree summers, windy winters--rain or shine he's out there :). He can take weather that I whine and complain about!!!

[HSmomto4]

I know that this sounds silly, but you can survive without airconditioning. People did so in pioneer times.

Here in Queensland, Australia, we often have extremely hot summers. Not everyone has air con. In the days before my family had air-con, we used our ceiling fans, we opened ourwindows, we drank plenty of water, used natural shade outside, went swimming in the local pool. We did chores early and late so that we rested in the middle of the day. In the days before our drought (still on level 6 restrictions) kids would play with the hose. By the way, we only use the aircon ons oppressively hot days.

Healthy people can cope with the heat. It is the sick and the elderly who would have problems. It is time that we stopped feeling sorry for ourselves and learn to get by with less.

Winter heat and energy is another matter in a snow climate.


Sure people can survive without it, but old people who aren't used to the heat can't survive it when they are tossed into it in the middle of the summer. They have heat strokes. It happens every year here.

[PrincessofHeaven]

well with what we know ppl need to get use to it cuz things are going to change and change fast....americans are spoiled brats and if they live way back when with no air ppl need to get use to old fashioned fans. may sound sound harsh but it is true... we havent seen anything yet. the worse is yet to come

[SummerSailing81]

I bet Virginia isn't far behind Maryland in not having any money to help low income families pay their electric bill. Dominion VA Power is raising rates 18% come July 1st which is going to put further strain on the budgets of more families. That means even more people are going to need help paying their electric bills. Everything is going up except people's paychecks. Unfortunately, the electric companies don't care.