By Lucas Willard
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wamc/local-wamc-998138.mp3
Pittsfield, MA – Federal cuts to the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program - or LIHEAP - will affect families across the country this winter. The program is being trimmed down in Congress from $4.7 billion last year to $3.5 billion for 2012. In the Berkshires, there will be an estimated 10,000 housholds applying for LIHEAP.
The Berkshire Community Action Council or BCAC, handles the applications for LIHEAP funding in offices located in North Adams, Great Barrington Families, and is headquartered in Pittsfield. The cuts to LIHEAP will make BCAC's distribution shrink from an average of $800 per application last winter, to an average of about $400 this year. The rising and uncertainty of oil prices will mean that families will only be able to purchase less oil, with less funds. An average applicant will receive money for about 100 gallons of heating oil.
Interim Executive Director of the BCAC, Wayne Cronnell, explains
The cuts also put a strain on the organization itself. Cronnel again
Massachusetts officials welcomed news Thursday that the Commonwealth will be receiving an additional $21 million, which brings the total up to $99 million for 2012. However an estimated 500 million more US households will be applying for LIHEAP funding in 2012, bringing the total to 9.4 million.
There are some alternatives for Berkshire families who may not meet the income requires for LIHEAP. The Salvation Army offers some help. Lt. Cynthia Crowsen of the Salvation Army of North Adams says this is what the Good Neighbor Program is designed to help.
The Good Neighbor Program is also seeing it's increases in need over last year. Lt. Crowsen again
The high costs of fuel oil - which is a primary heat source in the Berkshires - has also left many families to depend on food shelters and other aid programs.
For information on the North Adams Salvation Army Good Neighbor Program please call 413-663-7987.
Contact information for the Berkshire Community Action Council, Inc.:
Administrative Office:
1531 East Street
Pittsfield, MA
Tel: 413.445.4503
Fax: 413.447.7871
Satellite Office:
85 Main Street
North Adams, MA
Tel: 413.663.3014
Fax: 413.663.3577
Satellite Office:
8 Castle Street
Great Barrington, MA
Tel: 413.528.1947
Fax: 413.528.9658