Last month was the first time Terry Mowery came to the 100 block of Ann Street to get help paying a utility bill.

"Well I got laid off a couple months ago so it's just been tight," Mowery said and she isn't alone.

"Yep my husband isn't getting a lot of hours so we're both out there looking for something else and I think a lot of people in our community and all across the country are in the same boat."

The country's unemployment rate in October was the highest it's been in more than a decade

The jobless rate here has been lower but there are indications it could be tightening.

"We have definitely seen an increase. We attribute the economy to that. So many people have lost jobs and been laid off because of recent closures," said Lynn Garber Community Services Manager of Community Resources.

As the temperatures drop they anticipate more people coming in.

"What was great is that things that I didn't know about that Brenda (at Community Resources) told me and the networking that the other nonprofit agencies do," said Mowery.

Community Resources helps those who qualify with emergency utility assistance and West Virginia's Low Income Energy Assistance Program.

Applications for LIEP will be accepted the first two weeks of December.
The Department of Health and Human Resources runs this program and also takes applications.

In Washington County there are several options to apply for under the Home Energy Assistance Program through the end of March.

Plus both Salvation Armies in Parkersburg and Marietta have programs that can help.

Assistance can be available even if you're not facing a termination notice. There are programs available like the weatherization and home repair loans.

"They might be in a situation where they need to prep their homes in order not to fall into that category," said Garber.

Mowery applied to have the weatherization team make her house more efficient.

You might be surprised who's eligible.

Typically a four person family earning about $31,000 qualifies but what if you're just looking to save a few dollars on your gas bill this month?

"It certainly doesn't make sense to heat your home when you're asleep or when you're away so I recommend turning it back 8 to 10 degrees and saving those few extra dollars," said David Haas the vice president of Morrison, Inc.

He said don't go much lower than that because it may cost you more to bring the temperature back up.

For a few dollars you can insulate receptacles, windows, and the spaces where you may be losing heat.

Haas also recommends looking at your furnace.

"A lot of people are upgrading to better filters and it's very important to watch them a little more carefully because they collect so much more dirt that they might load up faster," he said.

You can change the filter but Haas recommends having a professional take a look once a year.

"We always recommend that you use smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and check your batteries regularly," said Haas.

Checking equipment to save your life and your wallet.

"I think we're lucky that we're a close knit community and that we do have resources that we can go to so people should definitely get out there and utilize them," said Mowery.

For more information on utility assistance in Wood County call:

Community Resources
304-422-5339

Dept. of Health and Human Resources
304-420-2560

Salvation Army
304-485-4529

In Washington County call:

Washington and Morgan County Community Action
740-373-3745

Salvation Army
740-373-7696

You can also click on the links below for more information.