More Poverty. Less Heat. Less Assistance.

2nd District congressman Charlie Bass is urging President Bush not to cut low income heating fuel assistance this year.

The President has proposed cutting 300 million dollars from the fund.

This comes at a time when fuel prices are higher.

And the weather has been colder than last year.

Here in New Hampshire social service programs are already feeling the strain.

Louise Bergeron is energy director at Southern New Hampshire Services.

She tells NHPR's Mark Bevis the demand for assistance is very high.