Winter weather is especially brutal for those who are struggling financially. As the mercury drops and homes require more electric, fuel oil, gas or whatever other heat source is used, many families are finding themselves in a difficult predicament this winter.

According to The National Energy Assistance Directors’ Association (NEADA) an anticipated 9.2 million people will be relying on federal and state aid to keep their homes heated this winter. This number is up 20 percent from last year, with a number of people struggling to pay heating costs despite the fact that certain heat sources have dropped in price from last year. The problem of course can be contributed to the effects of the recession which may be over nevertheless millions are left trying to regain their financial footing.

The number of jobs lost each month is declining, however the number of people who remain unemployed is still record breaking. With so many families dealing with one or more incomes lost, it isn’t surprising that people are struggling to pay their bills. More people are facing tough decisions on what bills will get paid each month. Unfortunately during the long, cold months of winter, not having money to heat your home can become a life threatening issue.

The situation is not without hope for households dealing with unemployment or other financial difficulties. There are government, state and even private programs available to offer assistance to pay for heating expenses during the winter months. While programs such as Low Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) are available, income restrictions may eliminate some families that are just barely getting by. If you or a loved one fear losing your heat this winter contact your local, state and government agencies to see what assistance is available. Congress has recently doubled LIHEAP’s budget however as many people are finding out, that simply isn’t enough to cover the need that is out there. Last year only 8.1 million of the 44 million households eligible for assistance received aid. This is where private programs can make the difference, providing assistance for families in need who have otherwise fallen through the cracks of government programs.

Families living in states which experience harsh winter weather have some protection as a result of laws that restrict utility companies from turning off services due to unpaid bills. This helps consumers who heat their home with electric, however those who use fuel oil are offered no such protection. Due to the record number of people expected to apply for heating assistance this winter, consumers are urged to get their applications in early for any programs that are available or risk being left out in the cold.