CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Low-income West Virginians have another avenue to help with rising utility payments, thanks to a new program announced today.

"We need to do something for low-income people who are facing a cold winter without heat, water or electric," said Cindy Datig, chief executive officer of the Dollar Energy Fund.

With help from the Dollar Energy Fund, the state's major utility companies and business and community leaders, the West Virginia Utility Assistance Program will help 1,500 families this year, said Danielle Snidow, director of the West Virginia Utility Assistance Program.

The program provides grants ranging from $100 to $500 to help pay for owed utility payments, she said. People can start applying Oct. 1 and must have incomes at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty income.

Applicants will be able to apply at their local Salvation Army, who will process the applications. Payments will be made within 24 to 48 hours of the approved applications, Snidow said

Also, applicants will be required to apply for any other state and federal-sponsored utility payment assistance program, such as the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) and the Special Reduced Residential Rate Service (SRRS).

However, organizers say the grants are not simply handouts. Applicants must have made at least $100 in payments within the last 90 days to qualify. If an applicant is 62 years or older, $75 in payments are required.

The program is funded through a $343,000 start-up grant from the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation, said Chad Quinn, director of business development for the Dollar Energy Fund. The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation donated $10,000.

Additional funds come from West Virginia's six major utilities, including Allegheny Energy Inc., Appalachian Power Co., Dominion Resources Inc., Equitable Resources Inc., Mountaineer Gas Co. and West Virginia-American Water Co.

In addition, utility customers will have the option to donate $1, $3 or $5 from each bill to the program, he said.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Low-income West Virginians have another avenue to help with rising utility payments, thanks to a new program announced today.

"We need to do something for low-income people who are facing a cold winter without heat, water or electric," said Cindy Datig, chief executive officer of the Dollar Energy Fund.

With help from the Dollar Energy Fund, the state's major utility companies and business and community leaders, the West Virginia Utility Assistance Program will help 1,500 families this year, said Danielle Snidow, director of the West Virginia Utility Assistance Program.

The program provides grants ranging from $100 to $500 to help pay for owed utility payments, she said. People can start applying Oct. 1 and must have incomes at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty income.

Applicants will be able to apply at their local Salvation Army, who will process the applications. Payments will be made within 24 to 48 hours of the approved applications, Snidow said

Also, applicants will be required to apply for any other state and federal-sponsored utility payment assistance program, such as the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) and the Special Reduced Residential Rate Service (SRRS).

However, organizers say the grants are not simply handouts. Applicants must have made at least $100 in payments within the last 90 days to qualify. If an applicant is 62 years or older, $75 in payments are required.

The program is funded through a $343,000 start-up grant from the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation, said Chad Quinn, director of business development for the Dollar Energy Fund. The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation donated $10,000.

Additional funds come from West Virginia's six major utilities, including Allegheny Energy Inc., Appalachian Power Co., Dominion Resources Inc., Equitable Resources Inc., Mountaineer Gas Co. and West Virginia-American Water Co.

In addition, utility customers will have the option to donate $1, $3 or $5 from each bill to the program, he said.

 The utilities match these donations dollar for dollar, he said. The utilities' contributions range from about $10,000 to $50,000 with potential for more depending on the customers' donations, he said. All of the individual donations and the matching funds will go to West Virginia families, he said. 

Already, some utilities provide assistance to their struggling customers.

At Mountaineer Gas, the company participates in the state's weatherization program and allows customers to have a budget plan, said Thomas Westfall, general manager of gas supply.

Still, he admits, natural gas rates are going up. The utility is currently asking the West Virginia Public Service Commission for 42 percent rate increase.

"Our gas rates going up is because of what we pay for natural gas," he said. "However, anything we can do to help customers in need [is good]."

Sammy Gray, director of government affairs from West Virginia-American Water, said many customers just don't realize help is available.

"When they get behind, it's hard for the them to catch up," he said. 

Wayne Morgan, president of West Virginia-American Water, agreed, adding that the new program is way to reach out to struggling customers.

"We have to have concern for our low-income customers. This program will help them," he said.

To learn more or to donate, visit www.dollarenergyfund.org or call (304) 552-3331. Donations can also be mailed to West Virginia Utility Assistance Program, P.O. Box 3979, Charleston, WV 25339.