During a winter this cold, imagine trying to stay warm at home with just candles, a space heater, or your oven.

Today, there are concerns some people might need to resort to those things because they can't afford the fuel they need to keep their furnaces running.

Gean McAllister has been living alone since her husband was admitted to a long-term care home last year; he suffers from Alzheimer’s.  Now she’s getting by on one pension and old age security, and money is tight. She says she can’t afford to pay for both her hydro and heating oil in one month.

“I find it hard, you have to let some bills go to take care of others, but you have to put a certain amount on the oil bill because if you don't, you won't get (any) oil,” the Chesley resident says.

McAllister is not alone. According to the United Way a growing number of people are struggling to keep up with their home heating bills because the weather this winter bas been severe just as the prices of oil and propane have sky rocketed.

United Way does have utility assistance for electricity and natural gas customers but not for fuels typically used in rural areas like propane, furnace oil, and wood.

Francesca Dobbyn with United Way Bruce Grey says 42 families are in crisis situations in Grey and Bruce counties. She says 26 have no fuel at all and there is no money to buy it. Some even have had their electricity disconnected until payment plans could be arranged through community supports like the United Way, social services, and local food banks.

“My greatest fear is that we are going to lose somebody,” she says. “Somebody is going to die because of this issue.”

She is concerned for anyone heating their homes with candles, ovens, or generators they may not know how to use. Dobbyn says donations to date don't go very far and the problem is too big for charities to fix. She wants the Ontario Energy Board to take action.

Meanwhile McAllister is holding out hope the United Way will be able to help her get through the winter.

“So I don't have to worry about going into debt and not being able to pay everything and end up living on the street at my age,” she says.

People who need help should call 211 to connect with social services. The United Way is accepting donations that they will direct towards people in the most critical situations such as seniors, the disabled, and single parents.