(Detroit) THAW, United Way: No help for utility shutoffs (that have killed 14)

[Hannah Bell]

In the aftermath of the deaths of 14 Detroiters as a result of utility shutoffs over the last two months, the media, the utility company and state and local officials have attempted to shift the blame onto the victims, claiming they failed to seek the help that is readily available...

In the coverage of these tragic incidents, the media has repeatedly pointed to THAW as a source of assistance. One might believe from these statements that help is just a phone call away. That could not be further from the truth.

'The Winter Protection Plan is available only between November 1 and March 31 to those who are age 65 or older, receive food stamps or assistance from the Michigan Department of Human Services, or have a household income of 150 percent above the federal poverty threshold ($22,000 for a family of four).'

The WSWS began a series of phone calls on March 5 to investigate.

We started with Detroit ZIP code 48215 and were directed to call the Metro CAA Region 1 in Highland Park. This number was disconnected....

...(Several steps later)....Finally, by trying a number of additional Detroit ZIP codes, we were able to find an agency worker. She agreed to speak confidentially to the WSWS.

Asked about the application process, she stated there was no application process at present. “Well, actually, the funds are depleted right now,” she said. “We’re in a waiting stage. There was only $5 million allocated by the State of Michigan this year, instead of $6 million last year, and there were a lot more requests for aid.”

We asked when funds would be made available. “They’re in a fund-raising mode right now,” she replied, adding, “I don’t know when...”

There is, in fact, no help from THAW for anyone today, even those who meet all of the requirements of the program. And there hasn’t been for weeks! This fact has never once been mentioned in all of the newspaper reports about the Detroit house fires...

Mayor Bing’s office indicated that there were several options for utility payment help, including...the United Way’s emergency-sounding 2-1-1 program. The WSWS called 2-1-1 to find out what aid it offers...

We were informed that we could choose to get a “2-1-1 specialist” on the line, which we did. This reporter was then told that United Way has no money for direct financial assistance with utilities.

“Actually, there’s only THAW, who distributes funds through agencies, and it doesn’t take long for those funds to be depleted,” said the utility specialist...

What is THAW?

THAW is a nonprofit agency and serves a number of purposes. It is an industry creation.

THAW’s vice president is Linda Blair of ITC Holdings (an electricity transmission firm in the Midwest), and its Treasurer is Mark Stiers of DTE Energy...(other energy & bankster guys...)

THAW provides the energy conglomerates a public relations boost—a way to make them appear charitable, humane and “helpful.” It also provides DTE Energy a handsome tax write-off.

DTE provides credit matches to customers, upwards of $5 million a year, according to its financial statement of June 2009, receiving a tax credit for these funds. DTE restores the recipients as customers who are required to make fixed monthly payments.

However, having given a small subsidy to the indebted customer, DTE will “claw back” the donation if the customer fails any time in the course of the following year to make a monthly payment. The monthly sums are set by DTE based on the highest consumption months, without regard to clients’ actual ability to pay.

Money donated by concerned citizens, supplemented by State of Michigan tax money, ends up in DTE’s pocket, while DTE’s support of THAW gives the company a “humanitarian” gloss. It’s a win-win deal for DTE Energy...

http://www.wsws.org/articles/2010/mar2010/thaw-m08.shtml

[Zoeisright]

1. Well, that's repuke AmeriKKKa.

You're poor? You die.

[texanwitch]

2. I think that is the point.

To kill off some of the excess population.

They don't need all of us.

[Occulus]

3. I hope certain posters who were blaming the victims on That Other Thread read this.

I seriously doubt they will give a flying fuck, though.

[Greyhound]

4. Work Camp America, the dream comes to life. n/t

[maryf]

5. K&R

Thanks again for being a voice for the marginalized...

[jbnow]

6. I wondered about law here that heat couldn't be cut off in winter.

Looking it up I see that the law frequently expires. It is currently in place but there are a lot of problems. First it only covers seniors and certain low income people, for many people, tough shit. It is only 9in effect November until April. April 1st you can be cut off and you have to catch up on bill and pay for reconnection.
But it only covers major public utilities too. If you use oil or propane there is no protection!

The other day I read an article from earlier this winter about a young couple with three little kids and expecting their 4th. He had been laid off a good job and were all out of money. They had been trying to reach social services for weeks and had not even gotten a return call... their heat got cut off during that time.
The strange part was the bad answers everyone gave, the horrible situation. The assistance workers have more than double their maximum previous caseload (due to lay offs and increased demands). They can't catch up. Head of agency says that is no problem, groovy new computer system will make it super duper easy to be more efficient, guess they need more training. But they say bad system, computer bogs down.
Governor says... takes several weeks to get an answer. People have to get to a shelter or find family or friends to stay with.

No one talks like it's an outrage, a priority.

Oh there was plenty of money for additional heating assistance in stimulus bill. Senate cut it out to get those rpublican votes. wtf?

Does anyone care?