Nearly 20 million households are behind on their utility bills | CNN Business

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The high prices of essential goods, particularly food and housing, has made it tough for many folks to afford the soaring cost of their energy bills.

That has helped drive up the number of households behind on their utility payments to nearly 20 million as of March, up from 17.6 million a year earlier, according to the National Energy Assistance Directors Association. The households owe a total of $19.5 billion, up from $15.7 billion in March 2022. “You have to buy food. You have to pay your rent,” said Mark Wolfe, the association’s executive director.

It will vary by region, with customers in New England paying about $13 more than the national average, while those in parts of the South paying about $8 less because of changes in electricity prices. However, Wolfe predicts the tab will be closer to $575 since this summer is expected to be warmer than last year’s. Less federal help available The spike in arrears comes at a time when there is less federal funding for energy assistance available.

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