P.E.I. expands home heating assistance program as prices rise
The price of home heating oil has gone up on Prince Edward Island, but some relief is coming for those hardest hit by rising prices.
The province announced another expansion to its home heating program as prices increased by seven-and-a-half cents per litre Friday.
The spike in prices comes as temperatures begin to routinely drop below freezing.
“The price of food is more, the price of housing has gone up, the price of heating your home has gone up, and so many people are closer to that line of really needing help,” said John Burton with the Salvation Army.
Burton says this season alone, they’ve already given out one million dollars under the program, and it’s not yet the coldest time of the year.
The program has expanded rapidly. In the last two years, the income threshold to apply has doubled and the amount of money applicants can get has more than tripled.
The amount available to Islanders is now $1,200 per calendar year, an increase of $200. The income threshold to apply is now $45,000 for individuals and $60,000 for families, an increase of $10,000 and $15,000 respectively.
Early in 2021, the cap was $30,000 for only $350.
The Salvation Army says it’s already seen an increase in inquiries, even though the expansion was only announced this week.
“It’s going to be a steady flow of people, and I’m hoping that we can fit as many people back into the program in December as we can,” said Burton.
The program is open to anyone who pays their own heating costs.
The Salvation Army is encouraging anyone who may be eligible to sign up by email, by phone, or by dropping in to their office in Charlottetown.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Police investigating shooting outside of Drake's Bridle Path mansion: source
Toronto police are investigating a shooting that took place outside of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion early Tuesday morning, a source tells CP24.
Canadian cadets rock mullets and place second at U.S. military competition
Sporting mullets, Canadian Armed Forces officer cadets placed second in an annual military skills competition in the U.S.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man pays $7,700 for luxury villa found on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he paid more than $7,700 for a luxury villa he found on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.
Your body needs these three forms of movement every week
Movement is movement, right? Not exactly. Here’s what your body is looking for in addition to your morning walk or yoga session, according to experts.
The Met Gala was in full bloom with Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Mindy Kaling among the standout stars
The Met Gala and its fashionista A-listers on Monday included Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya and a parade of others in a swirl of flora and fauna looks on a green-tinged carpet lined by live foliage.
Quebec to limit sperm donations per donor after 3 men from same family father hundreds of children
Quebec is looking at tightening the regulations around sperm donation in the province following the release of a documentary that revealed three men from the same family fathered hundreds of children.
There's actually no such thing as vegetables. Here's why you should eat them anyway
The rumours are true: Vegetables aren't real — that is, in botany, anyway. While the term fruit is recognized botanically as anything that contains a seed or seeds, vegetable is actually a broad umbrella term.
Noelia Voigt resigns as Miss USA, citing her mental health
Noelia Voigt, who was crowned Miss USA in November 2023, has announced she is resigning from her role, saying the decision is in the best interest of her mental health.
Highlights from the 2024 Met Gala exhibit: Sleeping Beauty would wake up for these gowns
Sure, she was a royal princess and all. But there’s no way Sleeping Beauty — either before or after her nap — ever had quite the fabulous wardrobe that’s been assembled at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.