October 22, 2004  

HELP WITH HEATING COSTS:
N.C. LOW-INCOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE APPLICATION BEGINS

Charlotte, NC  - The two-week application period for a state program that helps families with low-incomes pay heating costs is set to begin on November 1, and will end on November 12, 2004.

Eligible households will receive the one-time payment in a check to be mailed in early February 2005, from the N. C. Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP). Last February, Mecklenburg County issued 15,266 LIEAP checks to households, which was a 29 percent increase from the number of households in 2003. The February 2004 households represented 41,380 individuals, several of them children under 6-years-old and adults over 60.

Some households receiving food stamps as of Sept. 30, will be automatically eligible for LIEAP, and will receive notification. All eligible families must meet all of the following: household must meet an income test; household must be responsible for its heating bills; household cannot have assets over $2,200, and the household must include a U.S. citizen or an eligible alien

Three sites will accept applications in Mecklenburg County during the two-week application period November 1 - 12:

Crisis Assistance Ministry Building at 500-A Spratt St.
9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.  Monday - Friday, Nov. 1 - 12
9 a.m. to Noon   Saturday, Nov. 6

Bethlehem Center - Southside Homes at 2705 Baltimore Ave.
1:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 4
Noon to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 9

Ada Jenkins Community Center at 212 Gamble St. (northern Mecklenburg County) Call 704-892-5790 for directions.
10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 3
1 p.m. to 4 p.m.  Wednesday, Nov. 10

Elderly or disabled persons may send a representative to apply for them, or they can call the Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services (DSS) at its LIEAP Hotline for assistance: 704-353-1336.  Anyone who needs more information can call the LIEAP Hotline.

Applicants should have the following information:

Information about your household’s income. Bring all wage stubs for the month of   October for all household members that are employed.
Information about your household’s savings accounts and checking accounts.
Information about your household’s property, stocks, bonds, and other assets. (The value of your motor vehicles and your home will not be considered).
Name, date of birth, and social security number for each household member