HAVRE, Mont. (NMB) – Local officials want to remind Hi-Line residents that there is help available for those struggling to pay energy bills.
Montana Energy Share is a private non-profit organization, and Board Member Greg Jergeson says it is their purpose to provide assistance.
“It’s to help Montana families who experience unexpected economic setbacks that they can’t manage in the context of their household and then run the risk of getting behind and then facing shutoff from the utility company. We try to help those families. It’s not a permanent program of help for one person. It’s to meet those emergency circumstances, when due to health reasons or some unexpected problem that occurs that they can’t manage in the ordinary course of their family budget.”
Last year, Energy Share assisted 54 families in District IV (Hill, Blaine, Liberty Counties), with an average of $730 of bill assistance per household. This year, Jergeson says they put together their budget for this year anticipating an increase in need.
“Every family faces different circumstances, even without the COVID thing getting in the middle of all this. And it’s different families all the time. It’s like a once in 10 year kind of program where we help a family. So we think we’ve budgeted the right amount. But we know the need is great and every kind of contribution people can make, we do appreciate.”
Energy Share of Montana is a complimentary program to the federally-funded Low Income Energy Assistance Program, or LIEAP.
Unlike LIEAP, Energy Share is privately funded and is for unexpected, emergency-type situations, while LIEAP is available every year for those that qualify.
Funding for Energy Share comes from individuals and small businesses, large electric users, utility companies, electric cooperatives and the propane industry. Donations are tax deductible.
Energy Share asks people to apply for LIEAP before looking at Energy Share for funding.
The application process for Energy Share is relatively short. If approved, payment is provided directly to the energy provider.
For more information, call District IV HRDC at 265-6743 or visit www.hrdc4.org if you live in Hill, Liberty or Blaine County. Everyone can also visit www.energysharemt.com or call 800-640-6743 to find the office that serves your county and donate or apply for assistance.
