With aid money running out this week, the program providing utility bill cooling aid for the needy has received another $72,933 in federal money authorized by the state.
Angela Hirsch, community services director with Central Missouri Community Action (CMCA), said the agency has been notified the Missouri Department of Social Services authorized another $1.5 million in spending this summer to help needy people pay utility bills for cooling homes and apartments.
CMCA administers the energy assistance program for Audrain, Boone, Callaway, Cole, Cooper, Howard, Moniteau and Osage counties.
"The $72,000 will be enough to get us through most of August," Hirsch said.
The state agency has authorized spending $1.5 million in energy assistance for heating that was not used during last winter because the weather was not as cold as normal.