Utilities Turn Up the Debt ReliefThey were strangers to each other, but the thousands of people who gathered yesterday at the Washington Convention Center shared a sense of hope that they would get help to pay their utility bills. Clutching windowed envelopes stuffed with overdue notices and speaking English, Spanish, Chinese and other languages, District residents applied for financial assistance and discounts that would keep the dial tone buzzing, the heat pumping, the water gushing and the electricity running in their homes through the winter months.
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They were strangers to each other, but the thousands of people who gathered yesterday at the Washington Convention Center shared a sense of hope that they would get help to pay their utility bills. Clutching windowed envelopes stuffed with overdue notices and speaking English, Spanish, Chinese and other languages, District residents applied for financial assistance and discounts that would keep the dial tone buzzing, the heat pumping, the water gushing and the electricity running in their homes through the winter months. By late evening, 6,500 had sought help from officials at the Joint Utility Discount Day, an annual rite since 1986 organized by the DC Energy Office. This year, many residents already have been struggling with their heating bills even though the temperature has not dropped below freezing. Officials expect even more applications this year because of predicted higher fuel costs. Last year, more than 7,000 people applied for assistance, and 5,500 received help, according to the DC Energy Office. “We have to find a way to help those who need the help,” said Herbert R. Tillery, the District’s deputy mayor for operations. The District received $6.8 million in federal funds this year to operate the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, which annually offers “one-time” assistance based on emergency needs, annual household income and family size. For example, a single person making $13,965 would qualify. Last year, when federal funding ran out, the District contributed $1 million to the program. Verizon, Washington Gas, Pepco, the D.C. Water and Sewer Authority, the Office of the People’s Counsel, United Planning Organization and the Public Service Commission helped plan and sponsor the event. At the Convention Center, it took patience and preparedness to navigate the winding lines inside the cavernous hall. All ears were listening to WASA employee Ivan Boykin, who used a microphone to call out the numbers in groups of 50, the sole cue for applicants to rise from the rows of chairs and line up at the front of the room. Adrian King, 41, a slight man with glasses and applicant No. 1,609, stood quietly as he waited to advance. He said he heard an announcement for the event on the radio. |