What on earth am I supposed to do with a check in February if I can't put oil in the tank NOW??

[lildreamer316]

I know for a fact that we either won't be able to afford heating oil this winter at all; or if we do; that it will require shutting off another utility. So I went to do the research to see about federal/state help in NC for us. Well, we do fall under the correct poverty level; but the checks are only sent out ONCE A YEAR in FEBRUARY. How in the hell is that supposed to help me get heating oil NOW?? I mean really. WTF.

I know, I know..shouldn't expect anything different from the gov't. I'm just annoyed as hell. Thank god it's still warm during the day here - 78 yesterday.

<starts scrounging for space heaters..>

[Inchworm]

1. I think that decision is by the County

I've needed to do that same thing in NC. Up until last year they wouldn't accept applicants until Nov. 1. That caused a hella rush on the place in one day and has since been changed.

Last year the county did "case by case" as the people came in. They did this until the funds were out then turned people away.

So far, if all goes well I won't need to go this year to see what has changed, but I'd recommend going in face-to-face with your basic incoming money and outgoing money papers to prove need.

Good luck Lildreamer. It sucked last year for me until about December when furnace was fixed. You are in my thoughts on chilly nights.

:hug:

[Mutley]

2. I don't know if you live in a big or drafty house

or some other situation that would make this option not viable for you, but when Baltimore Gas and Electric raised their rates really high, I heated my apartment with two space-heaters. Electric was cheaper than gas, and the apartment was small enough for the space-heaters to do the job. I didn't have to turn the gas heat on once that whole winter.

[lildreamer316]

3. I have a

long ranch that has open living areas except for the bedrooms; which makes it hard to heat the living areas with space heaters. However; I think I'm just going to go buy two more and suck it up in the electric dept. Not much else I can do.

[OakCliffDem]

4. There is always that fine Conservative invention called 'Pay Day Loans"