Salvation Army officials in Charlottetown have seen a 20 per cent increase this year in the number of requests for money to pay for oil and electricity bills.

Maj. Derrick Barrow told CBC News the situation is desperate for some families.

"The oil companies won't deliver for just a small amount of oil, and we helped one family with oil … I even had to pay the delivery charge," said Barrow.

"I know some people that haven't been able to pay their oil bill and so then their water pipes and things like that are frozen in their apartments or houses."

Barrow said the number of requests for help always increases this time of year, but this winter seems worse than most.