LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Rising temperatures don’t simply make summer season uncomfortable; they’ll additionally make it unaffordable. Vitality payments spike this time of yr, and for seniors on fastened incomes, the prices can add up quick.
“We are going through a lot,” senior Burnett Bartaltt mentioned. “We really need assistance right now.”
For a lot of seniors, a bit of assist can go a great distance. On Tuesday, native seniors obtained some much-needed aid – free help to cowl past-due utility payments.
“We’ve seen over the past few years, especially since the pandemic, the cost of rent has been increasing year on year,” Megan Courtney, Senior Director of Group Impression for United Means of Southern Nevada, mentioned. “We know that seniors are not necessarily increasing their income either, so they’re having to make some really hard choices between having to pay rent or pay their utilities or buy some food.”
The Venture Attain Senior Expo, a partnership between United Means of Southern Nevada and NV Vitality, covers as much as $300 on overdue payments from electrical and gasoline to water, trash, and sewer. The aid is accessible for these ages 62 and older, struggling to make ends meet.
“We notice that seniors in our community are on a fixed income, a lot of them are single, and so stretching their household budget even further is important,” Angel Williams, Director of Group Relations for NV Vitality, mentioned. “They also tend to experience more expenses around medical and healthcare needs as well.”
Bartaltt has lived in North Las Vegas for twelve years and mentioned the prices preserve rising.
“When I first started, I think my rent was $800 when I first got here. Now it’s like $2,300,” he mentioned. “It’s hard to catch up; it’s hard to keep up with everything.”
And at a time when many individuals his age hope to decelerate, he can’t.
“I wish I could, but retirement is not in my future. I have to keep surviving through this,” Bartaltt defined.
Dennis Williams is aware of the sensation too. He’s retired and residing on one earnings.
“That bill was over like $300 or $400, so they gave me assistance on it,” Dennis Williams mentioned. “I’m pretty overwhelmed because everything helps… it’s a good thing to get any kind of assistance.”
NV Vitality additionally provides methods to chop prices long-term via their Sensible Thermostat and Equipment Substitute Applications – all designed to assist seniors stretch their budgets a bit of additional.
“Basically, we all know that there’s a rising value of all payments – housing, hire, meals – so we simply need to have the ability to present our seniors with an avenue and one other useful resource for serving to pay a few of their utility payments,” Courtney mentioned.
Almost 600 seniors left not solely with a debt coated, however with gratitude of their hearts and a weight off their shoulders.
In the event you missed at this time’s occasion, United Means will host one other senior expo this Thursday, Aug. 21 at Aliante Resort and On line casino and subsequent Tuesday, Aug. 26 and Thursday, Aug. 28 at Sam’s City Resort and Playing Corridor.
The occasions run from 8 a.m. to midday. Simply carry your ID, proof of earnings, and late utility invoice – no appointment needed. For extra info, together with year-round help packages, go to Venture REACH Utility Help Program | United Means of Southern Nevada.
