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1.16.03 M.U.D.: More people behind on heat bills The sagging economy is showing up in the number of people in the metro area at risk of having their heat shut off. The Metropolitan Utilities District has seen a 16 percent increase this winter in customers who are behind on their bills. While this winter has been a little colder than last, much of the jump in delinquencies can be traced to the economy, said Penny Weber, who has a bird's-eye view of financial need. She is director of information and referral services at the United Way. Layoffs are being felt across the metro area, Weber said. "You can live out in west Omaha - it doesn't matter," Weber said. "Tuition, car payments, house payments -- none of that goes away if you lose your job. You can be in bad shape in a short amount of time." On Monday, M.U.D. ended its monthlong holiday moratorium on gas shutoffs, said Mari Matulka, spokeswoman for the utility. But this week's cold weather makes it unlikely that anyone will lose service in the next few days. The utility does not disconnect residential service if temperatures are forecast to drop to 20 degrees or below the next day, she said. The United Way installed a staff person in the lobby of M.U.D. headquarters this week to provide financial counseling. The counselor, part of an annual program, will be available through March 28 to help people sort out their M.U.D. and Omaha Public Power District bills. The one bit of bright news is that the Salvation Army-M.U.D. Heat Aid Fund has enough money so assistance guidelines can be liberalized, said Susan Eustice, spokeswoman for the Salvation Army. The fund this year is benefiting from a drop in demand last winter, when the weather was especially mild. The fund typically assists older people and the ill or disabled. This year, the age cutoff was lowered to 60, and a "crisis category" was added. "It's going to be easier for more people to get help," Eustice said. "Folks who may not be older or disabled, but who are experiencing extreme hardship, will be able to request help." And while those aid guidelines have been liberalized, Weber said the overall amount of aid in the community is down -- due to the economy. State officials will have the same amount of federal money to give out as they did last year. The state recently learned that its federal allotment of heat assistance dollars will remain at $15.4 million, said Mike Kelly, program specialist for the Department of Health and Human Services. Delinquent bills cost M.U.D., and by extension, its customers. Last week, M.U.D. wrote off $437,000 in delinquent gas bills and $102,000 in water bills dating back to 2000. So far this year, M.U.D. has accumulated $977,000 in delinquent gas bills. |
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