The COVID pandemic left the world upside down. While families were dealing with death and tragedy, masks and medical emergencies became the new norm. Working from home took on a new meaning as parents became teachers while also trying to balance their own jobs or lack thereof. The mental stress of the crisis took its toll on everyone's mental health as people wondered what may happen next, how they were going to survive, and how they would be protected from all that was going on around them. The pandemic caused a major hit to the economy, and although stimulus checks and supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) benefits were distributed to a great number of households, this was not enough to sustain families. When tragedies or dips in the economy happen, families or individuals who are hit the hardest are usually the low-income population. Low-income individuals are defined as having a taxable income that does not exceed 150 percent of the federal poverty level. However, out of the pandemic came a new vulnerable population, which is called LMI or low to moderate-income individuals and families. LMI individuals are just above the low-income guidelines and are ineligible for programs geared to help low-income individuals. In some cases, they may be just one dollar over the guidelines. Often this population falls through the cracks because programs for assistance are often geared towards those in poverty already, so those sinking into poverty are overlooked. LMI individuals and families often struggle with the same challenges as those in poverty, but because their gross paycheck is a little higher, no matter what their bills may be, they are excluded from most governmental assistance. These individuals are now suffering from energy insecurity and food insecurity with little to no resources or solutions. Though neither energy insecurity nor food insecurity started during the pandemic, now that we are emerging from the crisis, the question becomes how do we address this need?
Identifying the Challenges
LMI individuals are just above the low-income guidelines and are ineligible for programs geared to help low-income individuals.
Energy insecurity is defined as the inability to adequately meet basic household energy needs over time. The USDA defines food insecurity as ‘a lack of consistent access to enough food for every person in the household to live an active, healthy life.’ During the pandemic, over 30 percent of LMI individuals said they struggled to pay their electric bills. Over 15 percent said they didn’t believe that the utility would assist them. At a time when utilities implemented moratoriums to prevent customers from getting shut off, LMI customers worried about the aftermath. People became concerned about what their bill would be when the moratoriums were lifted. With food shortages on the rise, less money in the household, and the inability to receive federal food assistance, LMI individuals wondered how they would provide food for their households. Often they are silent, conditioned to the norm that there are no assistance programs available to them.
Creating Resources and Bridging the Gap
In many states, non-profit and community-based organizations have relationships with their legislators, utilities, and food banks. Non-profits have a unique ability to connect with these entities to develop programs. Partnerships are essential in creating programs and resources when serving a vast client base. In New York State, HeartShare Human Services was able to partner with National Grid to help create programs geared towards LMI individuals, addressing both energy and food insecurity. These programs not only address arrearages but help the clients get back on track with their bills and provide food for their household. HeartShare then partnered with New York State legislators as well as other community-based organizations, to raise awareness on program eligibility and enrollment in services.HeartShare also conducts outreach and education events to service as many communities as possible. By using this strategy, the LMI client is able to receive assistance from programs that have been created to address their immediate financial needs right in their neighborhood. This partnership serves the client in many ways. Not only are they able to receive assistance from the non-profit and utilities, but they are also able to connect with their legislators, voice their concerns, and advocate for their needs. This leads to policy changes. Policy change and programs are the only way to uplift those who are struggling. In a time where many are forgoing their basic needs, like food and medicine, we must learn not only to create avenues for those to be heard but to create pathways for needs to be met.
