More than 900 Hubbard County households have been approved for the 2009 Energy Assistance Program, which helps low-income families pay their home heating bills.
The program, directed by Mahube Community Council and funded by the federal government, serves Hubbard, Mahnomen and Becker Counties. Mahube began taking applications in September and will continue taking applications through May 31, 2009.
Most of the applications are received at this time of year, said Nancy Cummings, director of the program.
The average grant for a Hubbard County household totals $681 for the year, which covers part of the energy costs. It is paid directly to the household's fuel provider.
"The grants are never designed to cover all costs," Cummings said. The most the grants cover is 90 percent for those with the lowest income earnings.
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Qualified applicants must meet income guidelines depending on household size and consumption.
With the current economic downturn comes an increase in the number of applicants and a decrease in funding, but the 2009 grants are safe.
Cummings can't predict funding for the year 2010.
"I don't think anybody has any way of knowing what the federal government is going to do next year," she said.
