An unseasonably warm winter has led to a mild demand for financial assistance when it comes to paying for heating bills.
During the economic downturn that hit Elkhart County hard over the past few years, people have struggled to make ends meet. That has put a value and a strain on agencies including township trustee offices, which offer financial assistance to those who qualify. But this winter has apparently been a little easier for people to handle.
Elkhart Township Trustee Chuck Cheek said Friday that the demand for financial assistance this winter has been a little slower compared to the past few winters. Part of that may have to do with milder temperatures, but also with the fact that the Energy Assistant Program for the state of Indiana received roughly $7 million in grants to assist low-income families with paying their Northern Indiana Public Service Co. bills.
Cheek explained that the peak times of year when office staff are busiest with requests are usually during the beginning and the end of the winter.
“As the winter goes on, the bills keep increasing. So by the time spring rolls around, people have a bill that is fairly huge,” Cheek said, adding that despite being one of the colder months of the year, February is actually one of the slowest months for the trustee’s office in terms of requests.
“People usually get their income tax returns back around this time of year so they can handle their bills. It’s in March and April when the winter EAPs are due that we get a little busier,” Cheek said.
One of the keys to lightening the financial load on the township trustee is networking with local non-profit organizations including the Salvation Army or REAL Services of Elkhart County that might also be able to provide assistance to people in need.
“We try to network with as many non-profit organizations as possible,” Cheek said.
The money budgeted to the township trustee’s office comes from township taxpayers and no money is allocated by the city. So with limited funding, having a slow season where the amount of money that is distributed is a welcome sight.
Slow and steady seems to be the common theme in townships throughout the county. The financial situation in Union Township is better than one year ago, according to township trustee Robert McLean. He said it seems that fewer people need help this year than last year.
“I think in Nappanee everything is a little better than a year ago,” McLean said. He said a handful of people have received help through his office.
He mentioned that the local utility company has a program and the Nappanee Open Door assistance program helps residents, too.
“Between the trustee and other things here, hopefully we are taking care of people,” McLean said.
Requests for assistance in Jackson Township are up from last year, partly because of the closing of Carriage Inc. in Millersburg, said Tom Lantz, Jackson trustee.
“We are up where we were a year ago, or a little higher,” Lantz said last week.
Local News
Related Photos
-
Chuck Cheek, Elkhart Township trustee, talks in his Goshen office about township residents who may need assistance paying their winter heating bills. SAM HOUSEHOLDER | The Goshen News
Trustees report mild demand for heating bill help
- Local News
-
-
Residents want to see Oakwood revitalized, but how?
SYRACUSE — The receivership status of the Oakwood Inn property in Syracuse expired in April. On Friday, the Kosciuscko County Superior Court I granted that Ian Rolland will continue as the receiver.
-
Goshen grad takes jazz overseas with BSU ensemble
GOSHEN — A Goshen High School graduate feels his recent jazz music tour to China helped him grow as a musician and as a person.
-
City planning to reroof Rogers pavilion
GOSHEN — The historic Rogers Park pavilion that was damaged in an arson fire March 21 will be repaired if zoning and state permits are obtained.
-
Man pleads guilty to robbery
GOSHEN — A Nappanee man pleaded guilty in Elkhart County Circuit Court to his involvement in a March robbery in Nappanee.
-
A very sweet war: Searching for the ultimate cupcake
A fig, goat cheese and onion cake pop dipped in chocolate? No wrinkling of noses! It was the winning entry in a fierce competition between a local baker, a sixth-grader and recent participants in the Food Network’s popular Cupcake Wars.
-
The Salvation Army celebrates dedication
The Salvation Army in Goshen celebrated service by and to the community. The opportunity came when The Salvation Army in Goshen and southern Elkhart County held its first Celebration Dinner May 17.
-
Memorial Day events planned
Veterans who died in service to their country will be remembered during Memorial Day services this holiday weekend.
-
Police: 32 pounds of pot found in LaGrange
A traffic stop in LaGrange County, with help from a drug-sniffing canine, led police to the discovery of a reported 32-pounds of marijuana Wednesday.
-
Board reviews cleanup status
LAGRANGE — Monday morning all eyes in the LaGrange County Board of Commissioners meeting room were glued to the slide show presented by County Code Enforcement Officer Johnny Boggs.
-
Reception to honor donors set for Thursday
A reception is set for Thursday evening to recognize donors and kick off the fundraising for this year’s Celebrate America fireworks program planned at Black Squirrel Golf Course on July 1.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
Raw Video: Fight Erupts in Ukrainian Parliament
Texan Ranchers Remain Wary of Drought
Raw Video: Soldiers Plant Flags at Arlington
NJ Official: NYPD Muslim Surveillance Legal
Police: Man Arrested in Etan Patz Disappearance
Hurricane Forecast: 15 Named Storms Expected
NYC Protests: the Revolution Will Be Scripted
Chicago U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald Resigns
Neighbors of Etan Patz's Suspect: It's Shocking
Search Intensifies for Missing Louisiana Woman
Bloomberg: Man Implicates Self in Etan Patz Case
NYPD: Person Implicated in Etan Patz Death
Raw Video: Fire on Nuke-powered Sub in Maine
Illegal Burn Suspected in Nevada Fire
Obama: 'We've Got More Work to Do'
Astrologers Predict Outcome of Presidential Race
Gulf Fishermen Reel From Seafood Troubles
Stuntman Makes Skydive Without Parachute in UK
