Demand for power-bill help rises

Wednesday, April 3, 2002 | 9:23 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- As electric and natural gas bills rise, so has the number of residents seeking state help paying their utility bills.

The state Welfare Division estimates it will have issued 19,000 checks for low-income people by the end of June, compared with 10,000 in the last fiscal year.

Rota Rosaschi, social welfare program chief, said Monday that with electric bills going up "we anticipate they may be knocking on our doors."

The average grant so far this fiscal year has been $283, up from $242 last year, but Rosaschi said she expected that to reach $300.

As March 22, the division has spent $3.4 million this fiscal year. The money comes from the federal government, a state appropriation and a surcharge added to each energy bill.

The agency has been "swamped with applications," Nancy Kenison of the welfare division, said. It has taken 11 weeks to process an application in Las Vegas, but Kenison said the division has added another worker and hopes to have that reduced to eight weeks.

A committee is working on a plan on how to distribute the money in the next fiscal year, said Rosaschi. She said there could be higher grants for some.

"We're trying to make sure we're meeting the needs of the people."

A public hearing is set for 1 p.m. June 12 in Las Vegas and Carson City to outline how a new distribution plan may work.

Individuals making $1,073 a month or less are eligible for a grant. For a family of two, the income limit is $1,451; a family of three qualifies with an income of $1,828 a month and a family of four is eligible with an income of $2,206 or less.

Those who want to apply in Southern Nevada can call 486-1404 for an application or can visit the welfare office at 701 N. Rancho Drive.