MONROE — With temperatures dipping into the low 40s past sundown, some Union County residents are feeling the chill more than others.

Gloria Barrino with United Way’s Crisis Assistance Ministry said her agency has already received several requests for heating assistance. Some applicants don’t have the funds to pay their heating bills; others are worried about empty propane tanks.

“The number of clients we are serving is surpassing that of last year,” Barrino said. As lower-than-average temperatures mix with the high

unemployment rate, Barrino said, she expects hundreds more families to need help heating their homes.

Many energy companies, along with the Department of Social Services and City of Monroe, have joined the effort to keep both clients and their neighbors warm this season. They also allow others to donate to the program, sending tax-deductible contributions directly toward heating local homes.

Department of Social Services

The Low Income Energy Assistance Program offers financial help to residents with little to no income. Eligible residents receive a one-time payment from DSS.

Wendy Outen, food and nutrition supervisor for DSS, said the program reached 2,409 households, or 6,700 individuals last year. That’s nearly $480,000 in assistance.

To qualify, applicants must have household assets equaling no more than $2,200 and meet the following monthly guidelines.

Number in home/Maximum income

1/$993

2/$1,337

3/$1,679

4/$2,022

5/$2,365

6/$2,707

7/$3,050

(For each additional member after seven, add $343.)

Applicants must present a check stub or other income verification received in October, as well as Social Security numbers for each person in the home. Unless income has terminated, DSS will count the gross October income. Eligible households will receive a check in early February.

“The amount each household receives to help pay their heating bill is based on income and household size,” Outen said. It also depends on how many people apply across the state. Last year’s average payment was about $200.

To apply, visit DSS at 1212 W. Roosevelt Blvd. in Monroe from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Nov. 13. The office will be closed Nov. 11 for Veterans Day. A representative may be sent if a resident is unable to visit the office in person.

For information, call DSS at 704-296-4300.

City of Monroe

The Helping Hands Program lets city customers and employees contribute to others’ utility bills by adding $1, $2, $5, $10 or a one-time amount to their own monthly bills. Donors can also write a check to the city. Contributions are tax-deductible.

The city then matches the donations dollar for dollar. DSS determines which Monroe residents receive assistance.

City spokesman Pete Hovanec said the program raised $50,000 last year.

To contribute, call 704-282-4500 or visit www.monroenc.org and fill out the form under “Helping Hands Program.” Make checks payable to the City of Monroe, P.O. Box 69, Monroe, NC 28111.

Crisis Assistance Ministry

This agency receives money from Duke Energy’s Share the Warmth program, United Way, churches, individual contributions and private grants. The City of Monroe gave the agency a $15,000 grant this year, although it is not solely for heating assistance.

Executive director Gloria Barrino said Crisis Assistance helped 209 families with their heating bills last year for a total of $63,000 in assistance. Duke Energy’s portion was $14,000. Each family received a one-time financial contribution.

Agency clients are referred by DSS.

Duke Energy

Since its establishment in 1985, Share the Warmth has provided more than $31 million in heating assistance across the Carolinas.

Share the Warmth funds come mostly from Duke Energy customers and the Duke Energy Foundation. Customers receive a bill insert in November, detailing the program. Donations are tax-deductible. The Duke Energy Foundation then matches up to $500,000 in customer contributions.

Spokesman Jason Walls said the program’s success is “a testament to our customers,” who raise thousands of dollars each year.

Contributions can be mailed with customers’ electric bills. Checks may be mailed to the Share the Warmth Fund, The Duke Energy Foundation, P.O. Box 35469, Charlotte, NC 28254.

Union Power Co-Op

For customers having trouble with their heating bills, spokeswoman Carrie Cameron said Union Power Co-Op representatives are willing to work with them, possibly offering a five- to 10-day extension.

The co-op serves 43,200 people in Union County, 2,200 of them on “budget billing.” On this payment plan, customers pay a flat rate 11 months of the year. Rates are set based on previous usage. The last month in the cycle, customers either receive money back or pay extra depending on the remaining balance.

“It takes the surprise out of how much you’re going to pay each month,” Cameron said.

For tips on conserving energy, visit www.union-power.com and click on “home energy advisor.”

For information on assistance, call 704-289-3145.

Piedmont Natural Gas

Piedmont Natural Gas kicked off a Share the Warmth roundup plan in July. Both customers and non-customers can contribute.

Under this plan, a utility bill is rounded to the next dollar, with extra change going to the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services for energy assistance.

For example, spokesman David Trusty said, a bill that comes to $23.54 will round to $24, with 46 cents donated. Assistance funds can be used for natural gas, propane, heating oil or wood and are not limited to a certain time of year.

Trusty said 6,500 customers are enrolled in the program in North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee, but money donated in Union County stays in Union County. The average participant contributes $6 to $7 per year.

Piedmont also offers an equal payment plan in which customers pay the same amount 11 months of the year based on past consumption. The last month, customers’ payments are readjusted to reflect more or less use than expected.

The plan is particularly helpful for low-income families, Trusty said, so they aren’t hit with larger bills during the summer or winter.

The company reviews consumption halfway through the year so payments aren’t “too far out of whack,” Trusty said. It also “mitigates the chances for large swings in that 12th month.”

About 100,000 of Piedmont’s 1 million customers are on an equal payment plan.

To enroll in the equal payment plan or for more information, call 1-800-752-7504, visit www.piedmontng.com or look for a Share the Warmth sign-up form on the utility bill.