Mid America Assistance Coalition is involved in many ways to advocate for the utility assistance needs of the most vulnerable households. John Rich, MAAC’s President/CEO, is a member and former Co-Chair of the Committee to Keep Missourians Warm (CKMW), and an active member and former Board Chair for the National Energy and Utility Affordability Coalition (NEUAC).
The purpose of CKMW is to advocate at the state level for protection of vulnerable customers who are at risk of losing their gas and/or electric utility service during critical times of the year, especially during extremely cold or hot weather. This committee meets regularly to hear and discuss the latest government funding and legislation that impacts the availability of resources. Committee members offer comments and views representative of their constituents. The committee is currently concerned with the following issues:
- Obtaining continued funding for the federal Low Income Homes Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for future years.
- The inclusion of energy protections for low-income customers in any electric restructuring legislation currently being considered by the state legislatures.
- Weatherization of homes.
At the national level, NEUAC is an organization that advocates on behalf of vulnerable families for federal LIHEAP funds, and for private/corporate energy assistance funding programs sometimes referred to as fuel funds. In addition to advocating for energy assistance funds NEUAC advocates for water assistance funding as the cost of monthly water bills outstrips gas bills and is challenging electric bills as the costliest utility. NEUAC has played a crucial role in persuading Congress to fund and expand the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.
MAAC is partnering with a group of agencies in efforts to improve LIHEAP within Missouri, and to advocate for raising the threshold for eligibility for the program from an income of no more than 135% of the federal poverty level to 150%. MAAC’s advocacy efforts are enhanced by its ability to use information collected through its data-sharing software. Such information allows MAAC to report on emerging trends and shifting demographics among those in need, and aids MAAC in advocating on behalf of the most vulnerable populations.
MAAC is a source of information for local media and public policy makers, and MAAC staff serve on the Professional Cabinet of the Local Investment Commission and other task forces related to the issues affecting the most vulnerable households. MAAC’s ability to represent the broad interests of social service providers makes it an important resource for local radio, television and print media.
