| It may be a tough, long winter for many West Virginia families.
Families that relied on state funds last year to pay their heating bills won't get any extra help this winter, even though some utility costs are expected to increase by as much as 70 percent.
Besides the increase in gasoline, costs for electric, natural gas and home heating are hitting record highs.
State and local governments are bracing for higher electric and natural gas bills already this year, added is the the insult of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, which may throw more curves to the nation's economy.
State, county and municipal governments are expected to blow their budgets.
West Virginia's program to help pay poor families' utilities is also pretty much strapped for extra cash. There is no increase in the assistance a family can receive.
At least 1,300 people are on a waiting list to have their homes weatherproofed, and subsidies for heating bills aren't increasing from last year.
"With the hurricane and everything going on in the world, prices inevitably are going to go up," said Dan Hartwell, who administers the utility assistance program for the state Department of Health and Human Resources.
Last year, the state's Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program provided more than $18 million to 82,000 households around the state.
The government is subsidizing the energy companies while giving poor families relief.
Eligible families could receive up to $500 during the winter to help pay electric and natural gas bills and keep their heat turned on in the coldest months.
The state begins accepting applications for utility assistance beginning in November. The amount of money a family receives depends on their income and level of need.
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