Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Low-income families to feel energy assistance program cutbacks

CARSON CITY – Some of Nevada's low-income families are going to feel a pinch as the federal government is cutting back on funds to help them pay their energy bills.

The state ran out of federal funds and had to deny 1,700 applications in the last fiscal year, but staff specialist Miki Allard said applications of those families will be reprocessed this fiscal year without having to re-apply.

Romaine Gilliland, administrator of the state Division of Welfare and Supportive Services said, “for many families the assistance we are able to provide will not be enough to keep the lights on.”

In the last fiscal year, the average grant per household was an annual $850. Allard said with the reduction in funds, the grant is expected to be $500. The qualifications were also changed, so fewer people will be eligible.

A family of four that had an income of $2,794 a month would have qualified for the assistance last year. The eligibility will be reduced to $2,049, meaning some who received the grant last year wouldn't qualify this year.

There were 32,544 households receiving the energy assistance last fiscal year.

Allard said the division received $15.8 million from the federal government last year. President Obama’s projected budget cuts that to $4 million. The program also receives money from an assessment tacked on to energy bills.

Gilliland said there is a possibility the state will run out of money this year without serving all the families.

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