Energy assistance rises as temperature falls

On one of the coldest mornings in recent months, more than 75 people bundled in coats gathered at Augusta's May Park community center before 6:30 a.m. Friday.

Within two hours, that number had grown to more than 125.

The scene at the community center has been the same every morning for weeks, said Annette Johnson, an intake worker for the CSRA Economic Opportunity Authority.

Residents of Richmond and Columbia counties apply for the authority's energy assistance program at the center Monday through Friday. The program began for seniors and disabled people in November. Just this week, the energy assistance program began for other residents who meet the income requirements. About 2,000 applied this week alone.

There's an increase in the need each year when temperatures drop, Ms. Johnson said.

"Hard times," she said are the two words that describe why so many people are seeking the authority's assistance.

Lena Traylor, of Appling, drove from her home in the Clarks Hill area to downtown Augusta on Friday morning hoping for some financial assistance from the authority.

A senior citizen, Ms. Traylor said it's hard to heat her home when temperatures drop below 40 degrees. Social Security is her only income, so the $310 the organization gave her will be helpful, she said.

"I try to conserve. I don't run any heat at night, but it's hard when all you have is Social Security," she said. "This is really going to be a blessing to me."

The scene has been the same at Aiken-Barnwell Community Action Agency, said Marieanne Petersen, the program manager for the agency. As December begins, the organization is close to depleting its annual funds for energy assistance. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance program started at the beginning of the year with $1,325,393 for Aiken County residents, she said. The agency has doled out more than 95 percent of those funds because of the great need for energy assistance during the winter.

"We realize that people are working less hours. Some have not found work or are unable to work," she said. "That's why we have appointments lined up to assist people for the next three weeks."

Jessica Henderson of Vaucluse is one of the more than 3,200 Aiken County residents who have benefited from those funds. She has been out of work, taking care of her sick 13-month-old daughter. A faulty water heater caused her energy bill to increase a few months ago. She now will be able to pay the $280 left on the bill, she said.

"I can catch back up now," she said. "It's rough times. I'm unemployed right now. My mom's laid off, so this is something that will get us through."

Reach Stephanie Toone at (803) 648-1395, ext. 110, or stephanie.toone@augustachronicle.com.