Energy assistance grants to be raised

Thursday, June 13, 2002 | 11:09 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Low-income families who qualify for help in paying their energy bills will be seeing an increase in their grant next fiscal year.

State Welfare Administrator Nancy Ford Wednesday approved a revised regulation that will mean the average grant will rise from an annual $250 to about $500 starting July 1.

About 33,000 families are expected to receive the money to help pay their air conditioning bills during the summer months in Southern Nevada and the heating bills in the winter in Northern Nevada.

Rota Rosaschi, chief of employment and support services for the welfare division, said she expects $3.2 million from the federal government for energy assistance and $10 million from a state program. The money for the state programs comes from an assessment on the bills of electric and natural gas customers.

The division will start accepting applications for the new year July 1.

The checks are sent to the utilities, not to the individuals.

Ernie Nielsen of the Washoe County Senior Law Project said information provided to the 2001 Legislature showed 147,000 households would likely be eligible. But he said there was only enough money for 33,000 grants.