| Governor Joe Manchin has unveiled a new non-profit program called the West Virginia Utility Assistance Program.
Six utilities have joined to help provide financial aid to low income individuals, families and senior citizens when it comes to paying their bills this winter.
Manchin said "Energy is not going to get cheaper. We're in the state that has the lowest cost of energy anywhere in the country. We're right at the low end. But still with people being challenged and not having the quality of jobs of having the good pay, it's a burden and it will continue to be a greater burden."
Cindy Datig the CEO of Dollar Energy Fund said "Home utility bill affordability is set at 6% of the household's income. In West Virginia, more than 273,000 West Virginia households spent more than 8.6% of their income on home energy bills."
West Virginia utility companies will add a box onto their bills asking if customers want to donate a dollar per month to help those less fortunate.
The sign up date for the program begins October 1st.
The Red Cross is taking care of the process. Once a person or family is approved, then the funds will go directly to pay their utility bills.
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