"I've never had anything like this happen to me," said Caruthers, 42, who lives with her 14-year-old son in Detroit and can't find a better job. "It's scary."
Caruthers is among an increasing number of metro Detroiters at risk of losing heat this winter because they either can't find work or are struggling with small paychecks.
Compared with last year, the problem this winter is particularly brutal: The number of unemployed residents rose 33%.
State and local agencies are responding with extra money and resources to help down-on-their-luck families pay their utility bills, but officials fear it won't be enough.
"This is not something we've faced before in the region," said Bill Sullivan, director of the United Way for Southeastern Michigan's health and social service hotline, 211. "It's pretty devastating."
150,000 at risk of losing their heat
Jim Lowe never thought it would come to this.
A self-employed construction worker unable to find work, the 42-year-old father can't afford to pay his heating bills for the first time in his life as the winter chill settles in.
Lowe received a shutoff notice at his Auburn Hills home last week and says he's unable to pay the $174 delinquent bill.
He worries about his wife and three children, ages 6, 11 and 15.
"It's definitely a wake-up call," says Lowe, who was in the Carolinas looking for work last week. "We're three months behind on all of our bills. I just pray this gets better soon.".
State and local agencies estimate an unprecedented 150,000 metro Detroiters are at risk of having their heat shut off if they don't receive help paying their bills. The number of people seeking state assistance so far this winter jumped 30% over last year at this time, according to the state Department of Human Services.
Officials blame the rise on metro Detroit's miserable economy that continues to cost people their jobs. Since last winter, unemployment rose 33% -- to 288,000 people -- for the tri-county area, according to state employment data.
Public agencies, nonprofits and faith-based groups are scrambling to find enough money to keep the heat on for as many families as possible.
But many fall between the cracks. Last year, for example, DTE Energy shut off utilities for 221,000 households because of delinquent payments, a 36% increase over 2008.
Experts expect another increase this year.
"Many people who are looking for help have never been in this position before," says Gisgie Dávila Gendreau, spokeswoman for the state Department of Human Services. "We're seeing a sharp increase in demand across the state."
In response to the demand and in an effort to curtail heating costs for lower-income residents, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services sent Michigan $74 million in emergency funds to add to an existing $283 million for energy assistance. Much of that money is to go toward helping residents weatherize their homes
Although some of that money is expected to help tens of thousands of families statewide, officials say it's far short of what is needed.
Wanda Goodnough is one of the lucky ones. She received state funding for help with her heating bill that reaches up to $600 a month. When she bought a century-old home in Mt. Clemens in 1996, she discovered it wasn't insulated. She has been unable to afford the installation.
"When I think of it, there is no way I could have made it through this without the Lord," says Goodnough, 43, who works as a cook at Macomb County's juvenile center. "God has blessed me."
The state's largest nonprofit for energy assistance, The Heat and Warmth Fund (THAW), is experiencing the highest demand for help since it was established 25 years ago. Volunteers are scurrying to raise more money.
"There is a much greater need than the current funding provides," says program director Karen Bitner. "We are in a very tough situation."
Unlike some states, Michigan does not require private utility providers, such as DTE Energy and Consumers Energy, to keep heat on during the winter for most residents who are behind on their bills. The energy providers, however, are not allowed to shut off power to senior citizens in the winter and must offer payment plans to lower-income people.
"This is a time of unprecedented need in our state, and we are committed more than ever to help our customers manage their energy bills," says DTE Energy spokesman Scott Simons. "There is no one that can tackle this problem alone. It really is a community effort."
As for Lowe, he says he plans to find help with his bills.
Contact STEVE NEAVLING: 586-826-7255 or sneavling@freepress.com
