Community Action announces utility assistance program

[August 31, 2010]  The Community Action Partnership of Central Illinois announced Monday that the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program will begin Sept. 1. Community Action administers the program that provides a one-time benefit toward utilities to eligible households in DeWitt, Logan, Mason, Menard and Piatt counties.

To qualify for the priority period of Sept. 1-Nov. 1, individuals must have incomes of no more than 150 percent of the federal poverty level and someone in the home must be on disability or age 60 or over. Households that are disconnected from their primary or secondary energy source are also eligible to apply for reconnection assistance during the priority period. The figures for 150 percent of the federal poverty level are $1,354 monthly for a single-person household, $1,821 gross monthly income for a two-person household and $2,289 for a family of three.

The amount of utility payment is determined by the household income, size, fuel type and geographic location in the state. Source of gas does not have to be natural gas or electricity in order to receive assistance. Payments are made directly to vendors on behalf of the households.

All other households that meet the 150 percent federal poverty guidelines will be eligible for the program beginning Nov. 1 and will continue to May 31, 2011, or until all funds are depleted.

On or after Sept. 1, interested participants can contact their local Community Action office to schedule an appointment: Logan County, 217-732-2159, ext. 226; Menard County, 217-632-3878; Mason County, 309-543-2594; DeWitt County, 217-935-2455; and Piatt County, 217-762-2421.

The Community Action Partnership of Central Illinois serves low-income, disabled and elderly households in six central Illinois counties: Fulton, Logan, Mason, Menard, DeWitt and Piatt. For more information, visit www.capcil.org.

[Text from file received from Community Action Partnership of Central Illinois]