CLEVELAND — Step Forward is an organization that aims to help with utility bill assistance for residents in the Greater Cleveland area.
The organization has already received many calls for help with gas and electric bills this fall. They had 33,000 calls in one month, which is 28% higher than the number they received at the same time last year.
Douglas Bennett, the Vice President of Community Affairs, said inflation is partly responsible for the increase.
“With inflation as well as the cost of gas and electric going up, we realize how important this type of program is,” he said.
Step Forward has a Winter Crisis Program that helps with emergency heating assistance. It is for people who have had utilities disconnected, have been threatened to be disconnected or have less than 25% supply bulk in their fuel tank.
Douglas said they already have many appointments scheduled for this program.
“Our Winter Crisis Program actually began on November 1st of this year. We actually started opening up on October 17th and we are actually booked through December 1st 2022 already,” he said.
Bennett said there is a non-emergency program as well, though the qualifications are different.
“You have to be at 175% of the poverty level”,” he said.
He said the Step Forward team just aims to help people.
“That’s why we are here is to help people. So, never be afraid to actually call and seek assistance,” he said.
Applications for these winter programs are open through March 2023.
