Home energy bills impose significant energy burdens on low-income households. It is not uncommon for home heating bills to impose burdens of 20% or more on low-income consumers. Electric bills generally impose an additional burden of 10% to 15% on low-income consumers.

These high energy burdens create a real need on the part of low-income consumers. Sometimes this need is seen in non-payment of bills or the disconnection of service. At other times, this need is seen in people who pay their utility bills rather than buying food or medicine.

Unaffordable home energy bills also adversely affect a community. Unaffordable home energy bills have been shown to result in homelessness and housing abandonment. Health and safety problems have been identified. A link has been established between unaffordable home energy and the lack of educational attainment for children.

FSC considers the problems of low-income energy issues from four perspectives: that of the consumers themselves, the agencies that assist them, the companies that serve them, and the communities in which they live.