Demand for heating fuel assistance spikes: driven by unemployment, not oil prices

[Bluebear]

PORTSMOUTH — Driven by demand created by residents who are either unemployed or aren't making enough money, the director of Rockingham County's fuel assistance program said the need for help with winter heating is great.

“The need is probably greater this year, and it's not because the cost of fuel has been up,” said Sharon Brody.

The energy and client services director for the Portsmouth office of the Rockingham Community Action told the Herald last week that about 4,700 applicants had signed up for the service, and about 3,000 had been accepted. During the short fuel crisis of 2008 and early 2009 when prices climbed past $4 a gallon at times, Brody said RCA only received a total of 6,500 applications through April.

http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20091224-NEWS-912249982