A financial energy assistance program has helped a record number of people and has spent $7.1 million helping clients.
That’s the word from the Rev. Dwight Ford, executive director of Project NOW.
Project NOW’s Low Income Home Energy Assistance program (LIHEAP) provides utility assistance to residents living in Rock Island, Mercer, and Henry counties. The program is funded through the state, and it provides one-time payments, a percentage of income payments, reconnection assistance, and emergency furnace assistance for those at or below 200% of the federal poverty level.
“During this difficult time in America, when prices for the most basic of goods and services are skyrocketing, we are pleased to have made such a financial investment to lighten the weight and load that so many families are still carrying,” Rev. Ford said.
The Rock Island based not-for-profit processed 6,520 applications in relief to the clients. The average payout per customer was $593.
During the 2021 program year, Project NOW provided $5 million in energy assistance. Ford expects next year to serve even more customers with increased gas prices and inflation. The LIHEAP program will start back up again September first.
