2008 National Energy Assistance Survey NEADA Winter Meeting
February 3, 2009 Jackie Berger Prepared for NEADA By
Slide 2
Background 2003 NEA Survey Baseline survey LIHEAP recipients in
20 states Energy needs (beyond bill payment) Importance of LIHEAP
2
Slide 3
Background 2005 NEA Survey Follow-up with 2003 respondents
Issue: not all current LIHEAP recipients Cannot project to LIHEAP
population 3
Slide 4
2008 Survey LIHEAP recipients in 12 states 3 states were not
able to participate and were replaced Energy needs and importance
of LIHEAP Change in circumstance over the past year Comparison to
2003 Survey 4
Slide 5
States Surveyed 5 CaliforniaMaineNew York
DelawareMinnesotaNorth Carolina GeorgiaMontanaOhio IowaNew
MexicoPennsylvania
Slide 6
Survey Topics Screener eligibility for survey Experience with
energy assistance When received, how often received, plans to apply
next year Actions taken to meet energy expenses Constructive
Sacrifices: housing, food, health, utility service 6
Slide 7
Survey Topics Energy Insecurity Worry about energy bills,
reduced expenses Borrowed, skipped paying energy bill Close off
part of home, left home, unsafe temperature Use stove or oven for
heat Threatened with service termination, shut off Access to
heating and air conditioning 7
Slide 8
Survey Topics Change in Circumstance Energy bills Financial
situation Impact of LIHEAP Would you have experienced some of these
problems if LIHEAP had not been available? How important has LIHEAP
been in helping you meet your needs? Demographics 8
Slide 9
Methodology Use of state LIHEAP databases Samples selected by
APPRISE or state office staff Stratification by vulnerable group
and poverty level Telephone survey Fielded 9/30/08 11/3/08 1,256
completed interviews Response rate ranged from 41% in NY to 73% in
OH 9
Slide 10
Demographics 10
Slide 11
Household Characteristics 11 Percent of Respondents Senior43%
Disabled50% Children under 618% Children under 1840%
Nonvulnerable7% Own Home50%
Slide 12
Income Sources 12 Percent of Respondents Employment Income30%
Retirement Income40% Public Assistance37% Non Cash Benefits59%
Health Insurance 15 Percent of Respondents Entire Household70%
No one in Household10%
Slide 16
Health Conditions 16 AllSeniorDisabled Child Under 18 Non-
Vulnerable Health Condition* 70%80% 63%42% Medical Equipment Uses
Electricity 24%20%32%31%3% *Health conditions included asthma,
emphysema, COPD, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, or
stroke.
Slide 17
Health Status 17 AllSeniorDisabled Child Under 18 Non-
Vulnerable Excellent6%4%2%11%5% Very Good15%13%8%20%22%
Good31%27%23%34%51% Fair31%36%40%26%18% Poor16%19%27%10%3% Dont
know/ Refused
Mean Energy Burden 21 AllSeniorDisabled Child Under 18 Non-
Vulnerable Pre-LIHEAP16%14%17%16%19%
Post-LIHEAP12%11%12%13%14%
Slide 22
Change in Energy Bills 22 Percent of Respondents Same24%
Lower13% Higher49% Dont Know/ Refused13%
Slide 23
Change in Difficulty Paying Energy Bills 23 Percent of
Respondents Same42% More Difficult43% Less Difficult9% Dont Know/
Refused5%
Slide 24
Increased Difficulty Paying Energy Bills 24 Reasons for
Increased Difficulty Paying Energy Bills Main Reason (Unprompted)
Reasons (Prompted) Increased Energy Bill50%87% Lower Income/ Lost
Job37%75% Increased Medical Expenses2%57% Increased Prescription
Cost
