State Lawmakers Tout Heating-Assistance Programs

(Retiree Roadrunner)

State Lawmakers Tout Heating-Assistance Programs
NBC 30, Hartford, Connecticut
October 6, 2008
http://www.nbc30.com/money/17638903/detail.html

The president of the state Senate announced a program Monday to help seniors heat their homes this winter.

Last August, state lawmakers approved two bills that will deliver more than $75 million in heating aid to retired residents.

Senate President Pro Tem Donald Williams said heating costs will be much higher than they were last year.

"And with all the other expenses that folks have (and) worrying about the state of the economy, we want folks to know about the assistance that we approved in the Legislature that can help them," he said.

Sen. Martin Looney, the state Senate majority leader, said assistance is available to low- and middle-income families. He said the challenge is making sure all eligible families know what benefits are available and how to get them.

The state Department of Social Services estimates that two-thirds of Connecticut residents who were eligible to be served last year were not.

Kevin Lynch, of the Connecticut Alliance for Retired Americans, said the problem is "pride and ignorance."

"That is to say, some people didn't apply last year because of their pride," he said. "Others didn't apply because they simply didn't know about the state programs to help them."

Lynch and other members of the Connecticut Alliance for Retired Americans began a tour Monday of senior centers in the area to educate people about the assistance.

"It's word-to-word, friend-to-friend -- that's how this word is going to be spread," Lynch said.

State Sen. Edith Prague, long active in issues affecting seniors, said information on what's available can be found at local social service agencies and by dialing the 211 information line.

"The benefit can be there, and if people don't know where to go for it, then there's a problem," she said.

Williams said more energy assistance than ever before is now available. He said a $500 credit is also available to people who upgrade their furnaces.

"You can save between 30 and 50 percent on your entire heating bill by getting rid of an old, inefficient gas or oil furnace and replacing it with something that's much more efficient," he said.