Help available for heat costs

Cold weather is approaching, and many people living in Carroll County may be wondering exactly how they will pay their heating bills this winter.

A program to help these folks begins Nov. 3 at  the Carroll County Neighborhood Center, 220 7th St.

The Low-income Home Energy Assistance Program will have twice the funding this year, according to a report from Gov. Steve Beshear’s office. Kentucky will receive more than $68 million in federal funding to administer through LIHEAP, said center manager Vicki Kemper.

“Last year with the Crisis program, we were completely out of funding by Feb. 1,” she said. “We are expecting more families to apply” this year.

There are two types of assistance available, Kemper explained – subsidies and crisis funding.

Subsidy funding

Subsidy funding goes to those clients who have received assistance in the past, or know they will need assistance this year. These people should sign up at the office on the days designated by the last name of the head of household.  Those dates are available at (502) 732-5253 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Once a resident knows what date they are to sign up, they must be at the center between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Clients should bring their most recent heating bill or verification from a landlord that their heating expenses are included in the rent; the Social Security numbers or permanent resident card numbers for everyone living in the household; and proof of your household’s income for all earning members for the preceding month.

“If those applying have everything they need, a fax transmittal is sent that same day to the vendor,” Kemper said.

Crisis funding

Crisis funding is for those residents who will be out of fuel in five days or have received a past-due or disconnect notice. They may come to the center at any time to receive assistance, and also must bring the same documentation listed above.

A second sign-up period for crisis funding will begin Jan. 5 and end March 31, or until funds run out.

“The benefit amounts have been increased this year, but the exact numbers haven’t been received yet,” Kemper said.

Kemper said the Neighborhood Center also has a food pantry for needy families in the county.

Donations are always needed, she said. “It is always low, and we are always looking for non-perishable food donations.”