Dunedin's neediest will soon be able to apply for help with their electricity bills again.
Applications to the Dunedin City Council consumer electricity fund have been on hold since higher than expected demand led to the fund running out near the end of May, about five weeks before the end of the financial year.
The contract for the 2008-09 allocation of $167,000 was signed on Monday, Anglican Family Care director Nicola Taylor said.
The money was expected soon, and grants should begin to be distributed within the next few weeks.
The fund is administered by Anglican Family Care and distributed by six Dunedin welfare organisations.
Residents in financial strife can apply once a year for a grant of up to $250, although up to $400 may be given to applicants already receiving budget advice.
A total of 642 grants were made in the 2006-07 financial year.
An estimated 50 applicants had been turned away since the fund ran out but had been helped with budget advice or food parcels, Mrs Taylor said.
Mrs Taylor said she expected a rush of applications initially.
Late winter and early spring were usually the busiest time for the fund.
While welcome, the fund was "just a drop in the bucket" for people in financial strife, she said.
"We still have to look at other coping strategies for people. . . facing higher petrol bills and higher prices for staple food items and winter vegetables."
