Self-promotion, non-disclosure of affiliation, or acting as a shill, is discouraged in posts and comments and can result in a ban from this subreddit depending on account behavior.Īll platforms are welcome. No rude, offensive, harassing or inflammatory comments. Thank submitters, developers and moderators.īe civil. Read our Wiki for details on posting, moderation, suggestions to subscribers, developers and more.īe grateful. Post a Formatted Link Rules and Guidelines Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Steam and more. The “Heat or Eat” Dilemma How heating and cooling costs contribute to seasonal increases in food insecurityīy: Emily Gallion, Grants & Metrics Manager/Advocacy Manager and Caitlyn McIntosh, Outreach/SNAP Leadįor the millions of Americans living paycheck to paycheck, any variability in cost of living expenses can bring hardship.The best sales and verified price reductions for apps of all operating systems. In Northern states like Ohio, increases in utility costs during cooler months can lead to a dilemma: pay your utility bill or purchase food?Īccording to a 2018 US Energy Information Administration report, nearly one in three American households struggle to pay utility bills. About one in five households also reported forgoing basic necessities, such as food or medication, to pay energy bills. The challenges low income households face to pay their utility bills highlights a grim paradox: It’s expensive to live in poverty. While a wealthier household can afford to make necessary efficiency improvements, such as installing insulation, that will reduce their heating and cooling costs in the long term, many lower income households do whatever they can to make ends meet.
This may help explain the relationship between a family’s “energy burden” and their ability to move out of poverty. A November 2019 study of households living below the poverty line found that families that were “energy burdened” - or spending 10% or more of their income on energy costs - had more difficulty escaping and staying out of poverty. In fact, the households that were energy burdened were both twice as unlikely to see their income rise above the federal poverty limit and twice as likely to fall into poverty.
This issue is particularly striking in rural communities.
According to a study from US News & World Report, rural low-income families spend three times more of their income on energy bills than any other part of the country. Many families are then forced to restrict their food budget in order to pay their bills. Yvonne, a Foodbank client who visits our mobile food pantry in Xenia, says “food is the only budget you can adjust,” she added in. While many low-income households do try to adjust their energy bills by rationing natural gas and electricity, during Ohio winters, families reach the point where they’re forced to turn up the heat to avoid pipes bursting.Īlthough energy costs in Ohio are below the national average, families at the lowest income levels still face a high energy burden.
Similar to other areas, Ohio counties that are rural face higher energy burdens than urban areas.Īn interactive study from The Atlantic shows that Preble County residents living below 50% of the federal poverty limit (FPL) spend a staggering 36.7% of their income on energy bills. Greene County residents living at the same income levels spend about 30.9% and 29.3% for Montgomery County.
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