Callaway County residents who need assistance with their heating bills can apply for help through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Qualifying individuals can receive help through the cold winter months and into March.
An individual may be eligiblefor the program if they are a U.S. citizen or legally admitted for permanent residence, responsible for paying home heating costs, have an income at or below 135 percent of the poverty level ($27,120 annually for a family of three), and have $3,000 or less in bank accounts, retirement accounts, or investments.
Payment amounts can range from $45 to $450 and are based on the household size, income and type of fuel used for home heating. Payments are generally made directly to the utility company.
"Individuals applying for the program should fill out the complete application and be sure to provide all documentation requested," said Angela Hirsch, Community Services Director of Central Missouri Community Action (CMCA).
Applications for LIHEAP can be downloaded with instructions and information from the CMCA website at www.showmeaction. org or through the Department of Social Services website at www. DSS.mo.gov.
Callaway County residents without internet access may pick up the application at the Callaway County Family Resource Center (CCFRC) at 610 Collier Lane. They are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, but close from noon to one for the lunch hour.
If an individual qualifies for energy assistance, they may also qualify for additional help through the Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP), which makes payments to energy providers for households who have their energy service terminated, have received a threat of disconnection or who are running short of purchased fuel such as propane. The funds provided are based on the amount to restore or continue services which may be up to $800 for the winter program.