The bitter cold weather and sluggish economy are creating a "perfect storm" according to Maureen Stoops of Community Action of Eastern Iowa. Since October, that agency has received more than 78 hundred applications from families in need of some kind of assistance to help pay for a portion of their winter heating bills.

Community Action administers the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program to help people pay for home heating expenses. The agency serves four counties in eastern Iowa. If the bitter cold continues, and the economy continues to sputter, energy assistance applications are on pace to exceed eleven thousand. Maureen Stoops says that would be a record.

Stoops says most of the people who have applied for the money are employed. However, they struggle to make ends meet.

The LIHEAP program is a one time payment for people who qualify. The money goes directly to their heating vendor.

Applicants must meet certain income guidelines in order to qualify for the program.