Maryland residents struggling to pay for web access can get help from two connected programs.
The Federal Communications Commission's Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) offers qualified households a leg up in paying for high speed web service.
The program is supplemented in Maryland by the state's Emergency Broadband Benefit, and between the two programs Marylanders who qualify can get up to $45 a month towards high speed access.
While Maryland is the only state with its own broadband subsidy paired with the ACP, Uhunoma Edamwen - digital equity coordinator with the Office of Statewide Broadband - said there are many people in the state who qualify for the program but aren't participating.
"There's about 230,000 households in Maryland that are enrolled out of a total 779,000 eligible households," said Edamwen. "So there are about 550,000 households not currently enrolled in the ACP program that we do want enrolled."
For information about who qualifies and how to sign up, visit getinternet.gov.
With so much of life being conducted online, advocates are making the case that high-speed internet access should be seen as a necessity.
From telehealth to keeping up with the grandkids, high speed internet also helps people avoid isolation.
Edamwen said the pandemic illustrated the stark realities of the digital divide.
"There are many stories from the pandemic, where folks were going to McDonald's to use the wifi and for their kids to do homework," said Edamwen. "And we'd like for folks to be able to enjoy those benefits and be able to do what they need to do in life, whether it's apply for jobs, you know getting ahead at school, or managing their own health care, or paying their bills for that matter at home, on their own time."
In addition to support for monthly internet service fees, the ACP also features a one time discount of up to $100 off the purchase price of a laptop, desktop, or tablet from participating providers.
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Cities and states, including Mississippi, are grappling with rising homelessness.
In Mississippi, 982 people experience homelessness daily, according to the National Alliance to End Homelessness.
Ledger Parker - the executive director of Mississippi United To End Homelessness - said its Continuum of Care program works with partner organizations and government agencies, to serve and house vulnerable populations in 71 counties across the state.
He said the program utilizes outreach teams that aim to build relationships with the unhoused.
"So those outreach teams, whenever they go, they get to know them," said Parker. "They do collect information, and they perform an assessment. That assessment that we do is to try to find out how vulnerable they are in their homelessness. Our goal is we want to limit the number of deaths in homelessness."
Meanwhile, the Jackson City Council has recently delayed a vote on a contentious ordinance that would ban sleeping on city property, and allow the removal of homeless encampments - which is sparking debate over the best approach to tackle the crisis.
Parker said the outreach teams are vital, and work in several urban areas such as Tupelo, Meridian, Hattiesburg, Starkville, and Columbus to assist with finding housing.
He added that the group provides resources for wraparound services - but there are some challenges, as many individuals lack identification, which is essential for signing leases and applying for jobs in Mississippi.
"Those outreach teams begin the process of making sure that person has the pieces they need to get into housing," said Parker, "but then also down the road to get an employment, health care, mental health care. We try to really encourage them to choose housing."
Parker added that initially it's had to persuade individuals to accept housing.
Once housed, the organization strives to provide comprehensive support services. However, a small percentage, likely around 10%, experience a return to homelessness.
This recidivism rate is not ignored as the organization actively works to re-house these individuals.
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La Niña is bringing a cooler, wetter winter to Oregon and likely driving up heating bills as systems work harder.
This is the third year of major price hikes for Pacific Power and Pacific Gas and Electric, with rates up by 40% from four years ago.
One report found nearly half of Americans struggle to pay their utility bills and last winter, a January ice storm and rate hikes saw power shut off for a record number of Oregon households due to lack of payment.
Jami Seymore, home energy expert for the Energy Trust of Oregon, said this winter, one way to save on energy bills is to lower the thermostat at night.
"Every degree you drop that thermostat, you can save about 3% on your energy bill," Seymore pointed out.
Seymore recommended setting the thermostat to around 67 degrees during the day and about 59 at night. If you have a heat pump, do not change the temperature more than a few degrees either way for maximum efficiency.
The most helpful way to save money is to keep the heat inside by insulating walls, attics and floors. Seymore noted filling in gaps around the home like door frames, windows and mail slots can save up to 20% on heating costs. She added Energy Trust of Oregon can help cut the costs of projects.
"Energy Trust offers higher incentives for people with lower to moderate incomes to be able to make some of those changes a little more affordable," Seymore emphasized.
One source of energy loss people may overlook is the air filter. Seymore recommends changing it about every three months, or every time the season changes.
"A dirty air filter, that actually slows all that airflow coming in," Seymore observed. "It's going to waste energy and it's going to cost you more money."
If you need help with utility bills, Seymour advised checking with your utility provider first, as most have assistance programs and payment plans. You can also apply for Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates, which offer assistance for installing high-efficiency electric appliances, along with insulation and air sealing measures.
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Temperatures are dropping in the Commonwealth and community action agencies said help is available for those struggling to pay their heating bills.
The federal Home Energy Assistance Program helps households making less than 60% of the state median income, which for a family of four is just under $95,000.
Liz Berube, executive director of the community action agency Citizens for Citizens, serving the Fall River and Taunton area, called the eligibility requirements very generous.
"These are clearly for people who work, or you were working and you're laid off, you're on worker's comp, people who slip through the cracks," Berube outlined. "This could be the program for you."
Berube pointed out the website HeatingHelpMA.org has information on heating and other energy savings programs, as well as a link to an online application portal.
The Department of Public Utilities recently approved natural gas rate hikes for National Grid and Eversource customers. Monthly bills could increase from 11% to 30%.
Sen. Joan Lovely, D-Salem, said she is already hearing from her constituents in the Second Essex District, wondering how they will make it through the winter.
"Every single day, the biggest call to our office is housing insecurity and how am I going to heat my home," Lovely reported. "How am I going to be able to stay in my home?"
Lovely is grateful for the federal, state and local partnerships making the heating aid program possible.
Joe Diamond, executive director of the Massachusetts Association for Community Action, a coalition of more than twenty community action agencies helping families apply for needed services, said keeping people warm is about more than lowering energy bills.
"It is a health program. It's a safety program. It's a housing preservation program," Diamond explained. "It is also a program that allows people to access other programs."
Diamond noted if households qualify for heating help, they automatically qualify for weatherization programs, which can include new insulation, appliances or heating systems. Public safety officials stressed the programs save both money and lives. They emphasized well-maintained heating equipment is much less likely to cause fire or carbon monoxide poisoning.
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