CHAMPAIGN — U.S. households are expected to spend an average of $82 more in heating costs this winter compared to last year.
The estimated 8.7% increase is more than 2.5 times the rate of inflation, according to the National Energy Assistance Directors Association, a group that represents state directors of the federally funded state directors of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP.
LIHEAP provides one-time benefits to income-eligible households, to assist with energy costs in the winter and summer months.
In Champaign County, the LIHEAP office began in-person appointments on Thursday, Oct. 1. The office, which is part of the county’s Regional Planning Commission, already has nearly 900 appointments booked for this month, according to program manager Dawn Rear.
“We have seen an increase of calls and folks throughout the summer, continuing to need assistance after the program ended in August. So we are expecting to serve more households this program year,” she said.
Champaign resident Franke Morries came to the LIHEAP office to schedule an appointment on Sept. 29.
“Community members are affected in several ways,” he said. “They can’t eat like they want to no more. They can’t do all the activities in the community that facilitate more spending.”
He’s hoping financial assistance from LIHEAP will help him and others in the area afford their energy bills.
“It’s going to be ugly,” he said. “You’re burning more power in the winter than you do in the summer.”
This year, NEADA is urging Congress to increase LIHEAP funding by $3 billion to help families manage overall rising energy costs and avoid falling into utility debt and to keep their homes warm this winter.
Rear said she’s hopeful Champaign County LIHEAP will be able to serve everyone who needs it. If LIHEAP funding does get exhausted, she says, the program will link those in need to other agencies to relieve them of past or current utility bills.
She says energy is a basic need.
“Folks need it to heat their homes, to light their homes, to keep their children warm and cool throughout the year,” Rear said.
In Champaign County, the following residents are currently eligible to apply for LIHEAP:
- households with a member age 60 or older
- households with a member who is receiving a permanent disability benefit
- households with children age 5 and under
- households that are either disconnected from energy service or have a disconnect notice
More information about how to apply can be found on the Champaign County LIHEAP website.