Heating Assistance Applications Surge From New Households in New Hampshire

Local agencies that distribute heating assistance are seeing an influx in applications from new households, as high costs across the board squeeze Granite Staters. It comes as fuel prices remain high due to disruptions from the war in Iran and inflation continues to put pressure on low-income households across the state. “We see a lot of working families applying and being eligible this year versus last year because I think more people are scared and nervous,” said Terra Rogers, director of energy services at Southwestern Community Services. Her agency serves people in Cheshire and Sullivan counties, and she said her agency has seen around 200 more applications to their Fuel Assistance Program from new households compared to last year.