STATEHOUSE - State Rep. Suzanne Crouch (R-Evansville) and State Sen. Vaneta Becker (R-Evansville) submitted a letter of support to the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) urging renewal of the Universal Service Program which assists low-income households of Citizens Gas, Vectren and NIPSCO in paying their winter heating bills.
Over 50,000 households, many of which are elderly and disabled, received help during the heating season of 2008-2009. These households are faced with the difficult daily task of paying for shelter, medicine, health care, utilities and food. Over 100,000 households in Indiana live at or below 50 percent of the Federal Poverty Level and spend 47.1 percent of their income on home utility bills.
"As legislators, we hear from many constituents who have difficulty paying for essentials such as food and utilities," Crouch said. "In the tough economic times that we are currently experiencing, these programs assist those families who desperately need help in order to survive."
"According to the United Way, requests for assistance with utility bills doubled in 2008 and 2009," Becker said. "This is a clear indication these programs are needed now more than ever."
Becker said the program not only assists low-income rate payers, but all customers benefit through a reduction in arrearages and by keeping people connected, which reduces the overall fixed costs of the utility system.
"These programs have expanded every year as need has increased," Crouch said. "It is critical that the IURC renew these programs before the heating season begins to ensure the elderly and disable remain connected and safe."
The program has been funded by contributions from the utilities and by a charge on monthly gas bills averaging about 60 cents per household per month. The program is available to households at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty level. Evidentiary hearings at the IURC begin Sept. 15, 2009. |
