Due to a large influx of requests in recent weeks, the Ottawa County Community Action Agency is temporarily unable to accept new requests for utility assistance.
“Anecdotally if I could give you a number, I’d say we’re at least double to triple the phone calls we’re receiving on a daily basis with people asking for help.”
Program director Jennifer Brozowski says in July the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services ran through the funds in its emergency relief program which helps people pay gas and electric bills. The new fiscal year doesn’t start until September so residents in Ottawa County turned to her program for help instead.
“We’re an agency of 8 staff total and not all do utility assistance applications so since that time we’ve been very, very busy and we’re trying to play a little catch-up.”
Brozowski says there’s several reasons for the influx.
“The cost of everything is just going up so significantly. People that are coming to us for help aren’t necessarily individuals who aren’t employed. Its going to be people who are working but are having a really difficult time staying on top of their bills.”
The agency will continue to process requests received before August 5 and alert the community when new applications can be submitted.
Those who need immediate help should contact 2-1-1 to find available resources.
Those who would like to help can donate at the Walk for Warmth section of the Ottawa County Community Action Agency website.
