By Elna Seabrooks
Special to the Pioneer Times
The federally funded Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides money to help homeowners and renters within certain guidelines pay part of their heating costs. Maine Housing Authority projects fuel assistance will serve about 51,000 households statewide this heating season. And, thanks to additional money from Augusta, the benefit rises this season, on average, from $415 to $500.
Recognizing that the assistance amount is “woefully low” due to the spike in oil prices, James Baillargeon, senior manager, Energy and Housing Services at the Aroostook County Action Program says last year 5,800 eligible LIHEAP applicants received benefits.
“Right now, we’ve already issued what we call appointment notices to individual clients who were eligible last year … informing them that there is a certain day and time set aside for them to meet with an ACAP staff person to complete an application.”
New applications
Help is available to anyone who qualifies and pays for their own heat. If a family or individual wants to apply, or is not sure if they qualify, Baillargeon said they should make an appointment. Phone lines will open Monday, Sept. 8 for new appointments that start in December. The process takes 20 to 30 minutes and proof of income is required.
The agency’s toll-free number is: (800) 585-3053.
Income guidelines are based on three months’ of income: single applicant, $4,420 or less; family of two, $5,950 or less; family of three, $7,480 or less; family of four, $9,010 or less; and family of five, $10,540 or less for three months. For each additional family member, add $1,530.
Baillargeon said appointments will continue through April 30th and he has not seen a year when the state has not been able to honor all eligible applications.