Utility assistance in high demand in Mid-Missouri

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

While a Mid-Missouri-wide program for utility assistance is in a good place financially this winter, some local programs are not so well situated.

Central Missouri Community Action distributes Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program funds, commonly known as LIHEAP, to eight counties across Mid-Missouri.

Colita Harvey, housing program manager for CMCA, said this year they do not expect to run out of funding.

"It feels great knowing that we are able to assist the majority of the population here in Mid-Missouri," Harvey said. "It's wonderful to know that there is funding leftover and that we will be able to keep families warm this winter."

So far, CMCA had pledged $272,210 to 1,502 families in the eight counties it serves. That leaves $1,488,716 left to assist more families throughout the cold winter months.

CMCA spent about $1.5 million last year to help 5,633 families across Mid-Missouri. Harvey said in the past the non-profit has run out of funding to help families pay for utilities.

A woman who asked not to use her real name in order to protect her privacy said she has been receiving assistance for about 20 years after her husband became disabled.

"Everything helps, every little program helps," the woman said. "I know a lot of people who use it."

The woman said without the program, many people like her would have to make financial cuts, which could include heating.

"It helps you budget your money," she said. "But I feel more sorry for the elderly because they are going to need it worse."

Some non-profits in the area have already run out of funding. The Columbia Salvation Army received $16,500 from the Missouri Housing Trust grant, but community relations director Lori Benson said that that funding ran out about six weeks after the organization received it.

Benson said the $16,500 served only 13 families this year. Last year, the non-profit received $11,000 and helped 11 families.

She said the Salvation Army works on an "eviction-prevention" basis, which typically costs more than other programs focused on alleviating financial burdens.

One family that received helped this year went through an extremely traumatic year and Benson said they received $4,400 in utility assistance to avoid eviction.

"I wish I could say with the economy statistically being good that we could see those numbers going down, but we don't," Benson said. "We're seeing the need for assistance going up every year."

After someone receives funding, families are asked to come to weekly meetings with a social worker to try to get back on their feet.

The Columbia Salvation Army is applying to receive funding from the United Way to assist more families.

Benson said anyone can donate money to the Salvation Army and ask for it specifically to go toward utility assistance. Donations can be made at the Salvation Army website or by mailing a donation directly to the organization, 1108 W. Ash St.