FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FORT MYERS, Fla. (March 21,
2002) – Low-income households needing one-time assistance with energy costs
can get help from Lee County.
The Lee County Department of
Human Services has received funding to administer the Low Income Home Energy
Assistance Program (LIHEAP) locally. The
program is through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Human
Services will begin accepting applications for assistance April 1.
LIHEAP home energy assistance
provides for:
A one-time benefit on an annual basis to households that meet certain income and other requirements.
A crisis component, which can pay up to $300 toward a past-due bill or deposit.
The program does not pay
monthly utility bills and funds are limited.
Twenty
applications per day will be accepted
on a first-come, first-served basis at the Department of Human Services, 83
Pondella Road, Suite 1, North Fort Myers, on Mondays,
Wednesdays and Fridays.
On Tuesdays
and Thursdays, applications will be taken only from applicants age 60 or
older, or the disabled who have documentation of their disability.
Priority for applications will be given to the elderly, disabled and
households with children age five or under.
Proof
of all household income and an original utility bill is required.
Annual income guidelines for
the program are $13,290 for a household of one, $17,910 for a household of two,
$22,530 for a household of three, etc.
For
further information, contact Lee County Human Services at 652-7900 or toll-free
at (866) 408-9769.