Wed., January 13, 2010 2:19pm (EST)

Millions in Heating Help Coming

By Josephine Bennett

Updated: 3 years ago

MACON, Ga.  —   The Federal Government is sending more money to Georgia to help people heat their homes. In October Georgia got 70-million dollars to help low-income people heat their homes. Now the government is sending an additional 21-million dollars at a time when it's been so cold utility companies have set records for energy use.

Nancy Smith with Middle Georgia Community Action oversees the Georgia Energy Assistance Program in her region. She says nine rural counties need more than their original allotment of 1.5 million dollars.

"As of the 31st of December we had spent all of that money and we had 18-hundred plus people on our waiting list."

Smith says the money could not have come at a better time when many people are out of work. The average amount each household receives is 350-dollars.