Olivia Lewis

Battle Creek Enquirer

From Oct. 1 through Sept. 12%2C Community Action helped pay 1%2C279 utility bills %u2014 more than %24770%2C000.

Electric utility assistance is among the top six unmet service requests at the 211 call center.

Nearly half of all households in Calhoun County have incomes insufficient to cover basic needs.

Tony Remeur just paid his outstanding electric and gas bills from last winter.

The 34-year-old was behind in payment and received a shut-off notice. When he and his wife couldn't come up with the money, they turned to local social service agencies for help. They learned electric and gas aid in the summer was no longer available.

Remeur's family, who lives in Battle Creek's Post Addition, is one of many households still suffering the financial effects of last year's winter. Even with energy assistance programs from the state and local nonprofits taking part in energy assistance, families are struggling to pay their bills.

"I don't know where to turn," said Remeur.

Nearly half of all households in Calhoun County have incomes insufficient to cover basic needs, according to a report released earlier this month by the United Way. The ALICE study — an acronym for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed — highlights individuals and families living above the poverty level, working, yet barely able to pay their bills.

Electric utility assistance is among the top six unmet service requests at the 211 call center at HandsOn Battle Creek, an affiliate of the United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region, while gas and electric assistance requests account for about a third of all referrals.

THE CRISIS SEASON

Help is available, but it's limited.

In 2012 Gov. Rick Snyder signed into law the Michigan Energy Assistance Program. The program was effective March 2013 to assist the state in supplemental energy assistance funding through the Michigan Department of Human Services.

DHS spokesman Bob Wheaton said a lot of people who receive shut-off notices go through DHS for help, although program assistance is only available during crisis season, Nov. 1 to May 31.

The majority of grant funding for the Michigan Energy Assistance Program comes through the Low Income Energy Assistance Program. Wheaton said DHS received about $165 million for fiscal year 2014. The estimate for fiscal year 2015 is $10 million less.

That money is allocated for several programs. About $7 million is used for weatherization, $38 million for home heating credit, $66 million for state of emergency relief assistance and $40 million for the Michigan Energy Assistance Program.

Although the state is expecting less money, Wheaton said there will be enough to cover families this winter, but funding will again be short beyond.

"Because of record cold temperatures there was a lot of need during the winter," said Wheaton. "There's not going to be any funds available (in the spring)."

'REALY HIGH DEMAND'

To receive aid for heat and utility assistance from DHS, families must show they are paying a portion of their bill. In a three person household such as Remeur's, families must pay a minimum of $64 for heat and $35 for electric.

As another winter approaches, Remeur's family is facing more hardship. His unemployment has nearly run out, and he's still without work. He lost his job earlier this year after his wife reduced her work hours to go back to school. His son, 9, is in school so they don't have to pay for childcare.

"It was absolute poor timing," said Remeur.

The family received an extension with the utility companies and was able to come up with the money a few weeks ago, but not every family is so fortunate. The United Way reports that for ALICE households in Michigan, combined income and assistance programs still leave a $8.5 billion gap.

Courtney Liles, director of development at Community Action, said gas and electric assistance are the most requested aid in all seven of Community Action's service areas.

Liles said Community Action received so many calls from families trying to play catch-up from last winter's bills that eventually it had to stop taking calls.

"We're seeing a really high demand," said Liles. "So now they're suffering."

Between Oct. 1 last year and Sept. 12, Community Action helped pay 1,279 utility bills amounting to more than $770,000. More than $51,000 of that money was used in Calhoun County, averaging $527.43 per bill.

Liles said any of those call came from families who had never called before. Many families don't see the impact of the season until it's too late.

Community Action is already preparing for the expected rough winter.

"We're hoping that with bring in some additional staff to help families quicker," said Liles. "We can reach those families sooner and figure out their needs and assist their needs sooner before their services are disconnected."

Call Olivia Lewis at 966-0581. Follow her on Twitter: @TheWrittenPeace

Getting help

Resources available for utility payment assistance. For referrals, call 211.

• Calhoun County Department of Human Services

269-966-1284, or 877-873-6342

Online application for public benefits: www.michigan.gov/mibridges

For additional assistance after receiving a decision letter from the Department of Human Services, call 211.

• Community Action - Housing and Support

269-965-7766

www.caascm.org

• Michigan Public Service Commission

517-241-6180

800-295-9555

• Marshall Area Community Services (Marshall only)

269-781-2954

• Albion Interfaith Ministry

517-629-5260

• Albion First United Methodist Church

517-629-9425