“Everything was going fine until the checks stopped coming, and then a friend told me about MSC’s Energy Assistance Program,” shares Helen. Helen, a 72-year-old retiree living on Vashon Island with her dogs and birds, called MSC for the first time last year.
Living off her social security and supplementing her income with a small 401K, Helen was able to make ends meet. Then, one month her check from her 401K didn’t come on time. It didn’t come the next month either. She called her financial management company and was told she had only a little money left in her account, and they would send a final check. Helen received no warning that her money was gone-she had no time to adjust and was already getting behind on bills. Her power was about to be turned off.
Helen spoke with a friend who told her about MSC’s Energy Assistance Program. “It took a while until there was an available appointment, but when I got through it was such a blessing,” said Helen. MSC helped her with her power bill. The energy company is working with her to keep her power on and make a payment plan that will help Helen be successful.
Helen is doing her part, too. She looks for ways to conserve energy-keeping the lights off, not doing as much laundry, and not using her dryer. Helen has been impressed by the support she has received in her community as well. “People really step up to the plate to help you,” she says. She sometimes finds donations of dog food left for her, a checker at the local grocery store once paid for her groceries, and a friend helped her with car repairs.
It was hard for Helen to seek help, “Your pride wants you to not ask for help, or accept help, but when you really need it what are you doing to do?”
