Nov. 28, 2008 — With the number of people needing energy assistance on the upswing thanks to a faltering economy and high electric rates, the Human Services Department Energy Assistance Program has been forced to limit eligibility.
"We're anticipating it's going to get worse, but once funding becomes available we will extend it again," Energy Assistance Program Manager Lennox Zamore said Friday.
Effective Monday, only disabled people and seniors over 60 will be eligible for benefits and must meet income guidelines. Previously, the program was open to anyone who met the guidelines.
For fiscal year 2009, the program has $1 million in local funds and $320,000 in federal funds.
The program will pay a maximum of $500 every other month directly to the V.I. Water and Power Authority for electric bills. Participants also receive two tanks of propane gas every year, with the payment going directly to the gas company.
Applicants must be permanent V.I. residents.
One person in the household must have an income of under $25,000. The combined income for all people in the house must be under $40,000. All income must be counted.
Applicants must prove their income with pay stubs or employment letter. If they receive Social Security, they must bring verification. Self-employed applicants must bring their income tax return or a notarized letter declaring their income. They also must bring their current or last WAPA bill.
The electric bill does not have to be in the applicant's name. For example, a tenant may pay the electric bill even through it is not in her name.
St. Thomas and St. John residents must apply at the Human Services office in Hospital Ground. On St. Croix, residents can apply at Human Services offices in Frederiksted or Christiansted.
In Fiscal Year 2008, the Energy Assistance Program helped a total of 2,904 people with their electric bills. Of that figure 1,519 lived on St. Croix and 1,385 in the St. Thomas/St. John District.
A total of 343 people received propane assistance. The figure breaks down to 192 on St. Thomas/St. John and 151 on St. Croix.
On a related subject, Zamore said that Human Services provided $250,000 worth of food stamps for its clients who lost food in the extensive power outage earlier in the week. He said the food stamp recipients had the stamps in hand by Wednesday night so they could shop for Thanksgiving. ?
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