Blunt announces $6.1M in utility funding

Blunt made the announcement this afternoon at a press conference at Missouri State University, accompanied by fellow bill supporters Sen. Delbert Scott, 28th District; Sen. Dan Clemens, 20th District; and Rep. Charles Denison, 135th District.

The emergency supplemental budget bill will be put to the legislature early next year, and Blunt said he expects it to pass, making the funding available some time in January.

The appropriated money would fund Utilicare – a utility assistance program created in 1979 for low-income families. Blunt said the program has never been adequately funded, and hasn’t had any funding since 2001. The 2006 funding is the maximum allowed by law.

“Natural gas prices are extremely high right now, and many predict this could be a challenging winter for many Missouri families,” Blunt said at the press conference. “This is a positive step we can take to help families that really might struggle during the upcoming winter months.”

Missouri residents whose combined household income is less than or equal to 150 percent of the current federal poverty level are eligible for Utilicare. Each eligible household may receive no more than $600 each fiscal year.

Missouri families also can qualify to receive help weatherizing their homes, Blunt said.

The funding would be distributed through local community action agencies across the state. Eligible families in southwest Missouri can apply for funding through the Ozarks Area Community Action Corp, www.oacac-caa.org.

[[In-content Ad]]