The provincial government is donating $108,000 to the Salvation Army Home Heating Assistance Program.
Janice Sherry, minister of Community Services, Seniors and Labour, says with unspent funding of $61,000, the needs demonstrated in previous years are expected to be met.
Sherry said the Salvation Army Home Heating Assistance Program has met a critical need in the community.
"This is a unique partnership, with business, community and government working together, one we are pleased to be a part of. This emergency assistance will be used to help Islanders who have no other means for heating their homes this winter."
In addition to the donation that Community Services, Seniors, and Labour is making, the
P.E.I. Petroleum Marketers' Association (Kenmac, Island Petroleum, Bluewave Energy and Pineau Fuels) are also contributing to the Home Heating Assistance Program for the second year by donating 5,600 litres of fuel.
Other supporters include Co-op Fuels which will donate $6,000, two-thirds of which
came from its customers' donations.
"Even though oil prices have stabilized, our members, like consumers, are still very concerned with the impact that these costs have on low-income Islanders," said Dan MacIsaac, president of the P.E.I. Petroleum Marketers' Association.
"While the Salvation Army Home Heating Program is a positive step toward helping low-income Islanders, this is only a short-term solution," said Sherry.
"We must find ways to reduce energy in our homes and businesses for the long run. A variety of programs from the Office of Energy Efficiency can assist with this goal."
She said the provincial government provides many programs, through its Office of Energy Efficiency, to help Islanders improve the energy efficiency of their homes.
Anyone who has accessed the heating assistance program in the past has also been
referred to the Office of Energy Efficiency.
Residents can apply for home heating assistance once per year and the Salvation Army
is continuing to approve new applications into April.
Residents of Queens and Kings counties can reach the Salvation Army at (902) 892-8870 and people in Prince County should call (902) 888-3870.
Just the facts:
Salvation Army Home Heating Assistance Program:
- Since the winter of 2008, the P.E.I. government has donated over $500,000 to the Salvation Army Fuel Program to provide low-income Islanders with heating fuel.
- Over the last two winters (2008-2009), this funding has assisted 899 families in 68 communities across the province. This is in addition to support provided to Islanders receiving social assistance.
- To qualify, a single person or couple without children must have an income level of $20,000 or less; and $30,000 or less for a family with a child.
- All clients will be expected to produce proof of income and expenses to the Salvation Army, and the Salvation Army has the right to refuse assistance if personnel feel an applicant does not have sufficient need.
- Applicants who applied last year to the Salvation Army will be eligible to apply this winter. Should the program be available, the maximum amount of fuel provided to an applicant is 450 litres.
