Local briefs
Applications available Applications for this year’s Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) are now available at the Fayette County Assistance Office, according to Barbara Shaw, executive director.
LIHEAP is a federal program that assists low-income people who cannot pay their heating bills. Eligible households can receive assistance through a direct payment to vendors who supply their fuel, or through a crisis component during weather-related emergencies, such as a broken furnace, leaking pipes or terminated utility service.
Homeowners, renters (including those whose rent includes heat), roomers and subsidized housing tenants may be eligible. Any type of fuel may be used.
The program opens for both the cash and crisis components on Nov. 12, with the cash and crisis components closing March 27. Besides household income, grants are based on the type of fuel used and the county of residence.
Shaw urged county residents to apply for the program.
“Last year, some families missed out on the program because they waited too long to apply,” Shaw said. “This is unfortunate, because in most cases documentation of income for the previous 30 days is enough to establish eligibility.
It may not be necessary to come to the office to apply for a crisis grant, said Shaw. Anyone who has filed a regular application, has no changes in his or her circumstances and has submitted all necessary verification need only phone the reception desk to request a crisis application. Request for a crisis benefit will not be completed any faster if applicants come to the assistance office.
“I urge all families who receive mail-in applications to return the form promptly. Families who didn’t receive applications can obtain one from the county assistance office,’ added Shaw.
To be eligible for the program, household income cannot exceed 135 percent of the federal poverty income guidelines, or for a one-person household, $11,961; two people, $16,119; three people, $20,277; four people, $24,435; five people, $28,593; and six people, $32,751. For larger households, the guidelines increase by $4,158 for each additional person.
Last year, 9,579 county households received $2,130,663 in basic LIHEAP cash grants to offset heating bills. Crisis grants totaling $1,090,579 were given to 4,495 households with heating emergencies.
Help for families with a heating emergency is available 24 hours a day by contacting the assistance office at 724-439-7125 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. and the Fayette County Emergency Management Agency at 724-430-9114.
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