Heating bill assistance to begin Nov. 2

Local News

November 20, 2009

Ronica Shannon The Richmond Register Fri Nov 20, 2009, 12:57 PM EST

Falling temperatures can result in a substantial utility bill increase for some, and the Kentucky River Foothills Development Council Inc. will soon be taking applications for the annual Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

Foothills recently was awarded $457,108 to not only help serve Madison County residents, but also those who reside in Clark, Estill and Powell counties.

“The economy has certainly had a great effect on LIHEAP as we are seeing more and more people for the first time or those who have never applied for heating assistance before,” said April Stone, director of community and health services for Kentucky River Foothills Development Council Inc. “These are people who have experienced layoffs from work.”

LIHEAP is a statewide initiative sponsored by the Kentucky Association of Community Action Inc. in partnership with the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services. The program provides grants to states operating home energy assistance programs that serve certain households that are facing significant price increases for heating oil, natural gas and propane.

Energy bill assistance is available to senior citizens on fixed incomes, those experiencing short-term financial difficulties and low-income households.

“As utility expenses and unemployment continue to rise, the need for heating assistance will increase,” Stone said. “Last year was the first year that the state of Kentucky has received the highest level of funding for LIHEAP.”

Eligible participants can apply for assistance to help with energy costs through Dec. 11.

Those who apply must bring a picture I.D., proof of income for all family members, the names, birth dates and Social Security numbers of all household members, proof of housing type (i.e. lease, Section 8 certification, a Housing Authority statement, deed or rent receipt) and their most recent heating bill or verification from the landlord that the heating expenses are included in their rent.

All applications must be brought to the Foothills Outreach Office at 123 Pine Street in Richmond.

Applications from Berea residents can be turned in on Fridays Nov. 6, 13 and 20 and Dec. 4 and Dec. 11 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Senior Citizens Center at 214 Jefferson St.

Those who qualify for the energy assistance program will receive a voucher that can be used on electric and gas bills, kerosene, propane or wood.

The benefit amount for each household will be based on the level of poverty and the type of fuel used for heating. All eligible households are to receive a benefit voucher, according to a release from the Kentucky River Foothills Development Council Inc.

Residents whose heating bills range from $800 to $1,000 may have to use a different option.

“For those (with extremely costly heating bills), the benefit amount is not enough to cover that bill,” Stone said. “If those folks own their own home, we will refer them for Weatherization assistance to help make their homes more energy efficient.”

A set of income guidelines will be used to determine LIHEAP eligibility. According to those guidelines, a household of one should have a gross monthly income of $1,174 or less; household of two, $1,579 or less; household of three, $1,984 or less; household of four, $2,389 or less; household of five, $2,794 or less; household of six, $3,200 or less; household of seven, $3,605 or less and a household of eight, $4,010 or less.

Call 623-6514 or 624-2046 for more information about how to apply.

Ronica Shannon can be reached at rshannon@richmondregister.com or 624-6608.

LIHEAP applications will be taken Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The office is closed from noon to 1 p.m. Applications will be taken in alphabetical order based on the first letter of the head of household’s last name using the following schedule:

Nov. 2 — A

Nov. 3 — Staff Day

Nov. 4 — B

Nov. 5 — B

Nov. 9 — C

Nov. 10 — C

Nov. 11 — Staff Day

Nov. 12 — D, E

Nov. 16 — F, G

Nov. 17 — H

Nov. 18 — H

Nov. 19 — I, J

Nov. 23 — K, L

Nov. 24 — M

Nov. 25 — Staff Day

Nov. 30 — M

Dec. 1 — N, O, P

Dec. 2 — Q, R

Dec. 3 — S

Dec. 7 — S

Dec. 8 — T

Dec. 9 — U, V, W

Dec. 10 — X, Y, Z

Dec. 11 — Open to those who were unable to turn in an application on their appropriated day

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