Cold weather combined with a bad economy means more people need help paying their heating bills, but one Grand Strand agency that gives out heating assistance says it will fall far short of being able to help all those who need it.
With the new year, the Waccamaw Economic Opportunity Council starts over accepting applications for help. They just started taking names Monday, and they already have a waiting list of more than 500 people.
The agency is asking for $656,000 in grants for this quarter, for a three county area. You can apply for emergency help of up to $1,000 to pay your energy bill, if you're in danger of having your power shut off.
If the EOC can't help you, they'll refer you to the Salvation Army, church groups and other agencies that can offer assistance. And they have a "weatherization" program that can help pay for insulating your home, or even provide space heaters.
But not all those who ask for help will get it, because the need has gone up so much in just one year. "I would say it has almost, I would say doubled, doubled. Last year we served over 8,000 customers. This year, it will probably be a lot more than that and a lot more on our waiting list, too," said Beth Fryer, Executive Director of the Waccamaw EOC.
Many of those on the waiting list are first-time customers who have just lost their jobs and have never had to apply for help before.
If you need to apply for help, be prepared to provide proof of income for the last 30 days, plus your most recent power bill.
For more information, click here. http://www.weoc.org/
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