September 24, 2008 In special session, NH approves state heating aide Play video

(Lauren Collins, NECN) - The reality of these hard economic times means Jessica Vaillancourt has to ask for help for the first time. She says, "my husband got laid off and we have a 14 month old at home and heating prices are so high right now that we're just trying to make ends meet."

It's stories like hers that promoted a special session of New Hampshire's House and Senate Wednesday. Merrimack Democrat Mary Wallner told her colleagues "the urgency of this situation requires that we act at this time," which both chambers did on a bill that immediately releases millions of dollars to avoid a cold weather crisis. The House approved bill 1653 by a vote of 321 to 12, the Senate with a unanimous vote of 24 to zero.

The legislation provides several forms of relief - it sends $10 million to the Office of Energy and Planning for fuel assistance, funnels $1.2 million dollars to that same office for weatherization assistance, and moves a combined $860-thousand to the Public Utilities Commission for weatherization assistance.

The state is effectively fronting federal dollars, making money available now that Washington doesn't normally release until later in the season, months after families here start filling their tanks.

Southern New Hampshire Services is one of the many community action groups that filters assistance from the state's office of energy and planning to residents in need. Energy Director Louise Bergeron says she has 1700 more applicants

"My staff is actually feeling the stress of a December-January in August and September. The clients are very scared. There's no other word for it," she says.

The state's effort eases that tension -- but ever so slightly. This money will provide a little less than a quarter of the 800 gallons the average assistance applicant uses over the course of the winter.

Washington has already promised New Hampshire $27.5 million for fuel assistance. The state hopes for ten million more so it can raise the income guidelines, which now stand at 185% of the poverty level.