LIHEAP provides assistance to households that can’t afford to pay their energy bills through the winter and works toward keeping low-income individuals warm during the cold months of winter.
Donna Hayes, the program coordinator, said LIHEAP is a “valuable program,” that can prevent homelessness in the four county area during winter.
She said many families will have to make tough choices between buying things like food and medicines and paying their heating bills because of rising energy costs. LIHEAP can make those choices easier for some households, she said.
“We actually see some families become more efficient through the season because of LIHEAP,” Hayes said. “This program makes a positive influence on families in the region.”
The program helped 6,400 residents in the four county area receive financial assistance from LIHEAP subsidy last year.
This year the LIHEAP subsidy begins on November 1.
According to a press release form the LKLP Community Action Council, in order to be considered for assistance, a household must meet some criteria.
Those criteria are: complete an application, be responsible for home energy costs, directly or as an undesignated portion of rent, have a combined household income for the calendar month prior to the month of application to LIHEAP not in excess of 130 percent of the federal poverty level, live in Kentucky when the application in made, apply in the county of residence and not have a liquid resource in excess of $2,000 or $3,000 if at least one person in the household is 60 years old or disabled.
Applications will be taken at Community Action offices, preferably in the applicant’s county of residence. LKLP offices are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the Perry County office can be found at 412 Roy Campbell Drive in Hazard. The phone number is 439-1362.
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