By Stu Johnson
Frankfort, KY – Ongoing tough economic conditions coupled with heavy winter weather has more Kentuckians asking for help with the home heating bills. Community Action Kentucky Director Rob Jones says 17 million dollars in emergency assistance were distributed in less than a month. Jones says it's more money than was distributed at the same point a year ago.
"I can't give you a specific percentage, but it is higher and we are running ahead of last year's numbers," says Jones, "And that's even with some of our agencies having to close for short periods of time as we dealt with our funding streams."
The state says another $2.8 million in federal fund will go into the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. Jones says that should help extend crisis support for at least another four to five days.