Chilly Temperatures Taking Toll On Fuel Assistance Funding

Many resdients in New Bedford are hoping for mild temperatures the rest of the winter. 

According to PACE Director Bruce Morrell, many low income residents have already received their maximum fuel assistance allotment of $1,100, and with the current price of heating oil, that amounts to a little more than one full tank of oil. 

Morrell says last week's frigid temperatures prompted dozens of calls to his office from people afraid they were going to run out of heating oil. 

PACE has no flexibility with the federal money, but Morell says the agency has collected donations to use for emergencies....

Morell says fuel assistance funding in New Bedford has been reduced the last three years.