Record Number Turn Out for Heating Help
Record Number Turn Out for Heating Help Save Email Print
Posted: 5:28 PM Jan 5, 2009
Last Updated: 6:34 PM Jan 5, 2009
Reporter: Dara Rees
Email Address: dara.rees@wymtnews.com

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More people than ever were out in eastern Kentucky applying for heating assistance through Kentucky's Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program known as LIHEAP. Officials say this was the busiest year since the program started about 20 years ago.

Burchal Hurt lives in perry county, and says this load of coal could not have come any sooner.

"I was completely, well you see what few blocks was laying there, that's what I had. I was burning a lot of wood, but that wouldn't have lasted me," says Hurt.

Hurt was one of the first in line for help from LKLP's Crisis Component through the LIHEAP. Before noon on the first day, lines wrapped through the halls of the Hazard LKLP building.

Office manager Judy Keen says it is the most desperate year since the program started about 20 years ago.

"The higher prices of food, medicine... well, gas prices have gone down, but a lot of clients have said their food stamps have been cut back, and they're having a hard time adjusting to all that," says Keen.

LIHEAP's Crisis component helps people avoid having their electric of natural gas shut off and helps with the purchase of other materials needed to stay warm.

"They don't have money to buy their coal or wood, or electric bills, and the electric bills have gone up really high too," says Keen.

Hurt says this load of coal will last him through the rest of the winter.

Hurt says, "I don't have to use over a bucket of coal a day, once it gets warm. If I didn't get help from them, I would have been in a tight spot there."

Officials say the heating assistance will be offered through March 31st or until funding runs out. Judy Keen say LKLP served more than 600 people in their four county service area by the end of the day, January 5th.

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Posted by: Jon Location: Ky on Jan 6, 2009 at 06:15 PM
It would be cheaper to give them a chain saw.

Posted by: Jon Location: Ky on Jan 6, 2009 at 06:14 PM
People are getting heating assistance and selling it. They get kerosene take it and sell it a little cheaper to other people. You can't beat them. They need to pay me to seek them sorry free loader out.

Posted by: KyMom Location: Salyersville on Jan 6, 2009 at 03:24 PM
VC, I am too proud to stay home and work the system... If the only job I could find was cutting grass with scissors to make a living thats what I'd do!!! I was raised to work and be honest and that's what I'll die doing unlike some folks! You just keep sitting at your house enjoying the money you get from my taxes and leave me be!

Posted by: vc Location: Hazard on Jan 6, 2009 at 11:44 AM
This is for KYMOM why don;t you try it and stay home and hush

Posted by: KyMom Location: Salyersville on Jan 6, 2009 at 09:41 AM
I TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU BILL!!! That is exactly what's happened, people figuring out how to jip and work the system. I have to get up everyday go to work to pay my bills, have money taken out of my check for mine and my daughter's insurance, but any unmarried woman can get knocked up and get a medical card for her and her baby and get better medical care than I do!! People claim their crazy, well shoot I can sit home all day and worry about what I have to pay and probably could claim crazy too. Believe me I know it doesn't end there but I'm just sick of all the scum that are on checks that don't need it, that live better than I do off my tax money!!!

Posted by: Frank on Jan 6, 2009 at 07:56 AM
Well record numbers do turn out when the republicans try to starve and freeze us to death.

Posted by: Stella Location: paintsville on Jan 6, 2009 at 07:51 AM
Herbert Hoover times are here again and more than we recognize right now,how did we ever go so wrong in keeping George Bush and his sidekickes in this long?

Posted by: Bill on Jan 6, 2009 at 07:29 AM
Theres not a bigger need ,its just more people are learning how to work the system.Free, free, free,thats the name of the game for Kentuckys PostOffice Democrats. They go every free dime they can get.

Posted by: hays Location: thornton on Jan 5, 2009 at 09:57 PM
You think it is bad now...? Just wait until our coal is taxed for Obama's green program . The little guy is who will pay all the extra taxes, business people can and will pass it on. Do you really think the electric companies will pay their share...? They will just raise our rates again.... We have lost our country.....Yes, let's spread the wealth around Obama.....When they do away with the paper trail, they will be wanting to put a chip under our skin.... What's next...? The banks will have our money and they will give us a number and a debit card....

Posted by: gemma on Jan 5, 2009 at 09:28 PM
I know a man who can help get your power back on for $25. He uses some kind of small box and reconnects the power, I haven't got a bill in 5 months. It is wonderful.

Posted by: working mom Location: Pike on Jan 5, 2009 at 07:11 PM
No wonder there are more people needing assistance, with the FUEL SURCHARGE. This charge is ridiculous! No one offers to help pay my gas to and from work so I can pay my bill, why should I have to pay AEP for their fuel! They can afford to fill up, more so than me.

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