any help buying oil? (Chester: rent, house, landlord)

[nanama]

My daughter and husband haven't had fuel oil for over two months. No hot water and now, with colder weather coming, no heat. They can't afford both Rent And Oil. Their landlord won't help. Please, does anyone know if there are any programs offering help? This is killing me as I am unable to buy it for them. Oh, if it matters, they live in Chester County.

[cc_nurse]

I can't say I am familiar with the Chester County human services sector, but I know that in the Lehigh Valley there are some energy assistance programs through the public welfare dept and possibly places like the Salvation Army. I would start with calling welfare and get some phone numbers. Oh, and local churches may be able to assist.
Good luck and God Bless

[monchichi_bright]

Talk to your local red cross, salvation army and churches, sometimes they are able to help, One year when our youngest daughter was an infant, we talked to ppl at our church board and they helped by finding other churches in the area that had heating funds and such..it can't hurt to ask... try looking on line for "heating assistance" programs also

[thecoalman]

They can apply to LIHEAP, have them call the county assistance office and have them do it now. If they get anything it might not be much but it's better than nothing. I used to have a coal business and the typical cusomer on that program used to get about $300 which would go along way with coal.

http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/liheap

I'd also suggest getting a few tubes of caulk and some plastic sheeting if the house they are in has old windows. Caulk all the cracks around windows and doors. Place the platic sheeting over the inside of the windows. This sheeting will provided a layer of air for insulation. This can save quite bit in heating costs. If they are desperate as they sound I'd also suggest walling off a room and turn the heat off to the other rooms. Be sure to talk to the landlord before performing any maintenance.

When the call assistance have them ask for the emergency assistance number, this program will provide emergency payment for heat if they are in imminent danger of not having any.

The money for this program goes directly to the company providing the fuel in most cases so they will need the name and number of their supplier for oil and they will have to be part of the program.

[nanama]

I really appreciate all the good advice. I have begun searching out the avenues suggested. I'm hopeful. Thank you!

[dugdogmaster]

There's also a wood burning type stove that can be integrated into the heating ducts. It may be a hefty one time payment to do this, but there's plenty of free wood out there for heat in the long run, especially if they live in a heavily wooded area