Funds Still Available for Energy Assistance

Funds Still Available for Energy Assistance 

Pace Community Action Agency, Inc still has funding available for Energy Assistance.  The program assists qualifying low-income households with the increased cost of heating their homes during the winter months by providing a one-time benefit to their primary heating source.  The program does not cover such costs as reconnect fees, deposits, or tank set fees.

Susan Laughlin, Client Services Manager, states “we have received additional dollars in support of the program, so funding is available to assist those households who have not yet applied for the program, which began October 10^th. Laughlin states, “the amount of heating assistance a household receives is determined by a point system, not by the actual amount of a household’s utility bill.”

To date, just over 4,500 applications have been processed within our four county service area of Daviess, Greene, Knox and Sullivan Counties, equating to $1.7 million dollars going to local vendors, municipalities, and utility companies.  To apply, households need to complete an Energy Assistance application, including the name, date of birth and social security number for all household members.  Along with the completed application, households will need to submit the following documentation:

• Income documentation for the past twelve months for all adult household members.  Types of income include, employment, unemployment, Social Security, SSI, Retirement/Pension, TANF, Child Support and Self-Employment.  
• Households that rent must submit a copy of their lease or rental agreement. 
• Current heating and electric bill.

 Financial eligibility is limited to households with a combined annual gross income for the past year at or below 150% of the current OMB Poverty Guidelines.  The guidelines are as follows:

            $16,245 for a household of one                                                           $21,855 for a household of two

            $27,465 for a household of three                                                         $33,075 for a household of four

            Add $5,610 for each additional household member

 Laughlin states, “Education is another component of the Energy Assistance Program.  We provide Energy Education to our clients, which include energy saving steps they can practice in their home in order to reduce energy consumption, therefore lowering their energy bills.  Each household that is approved for the Energy Assistance Program and completes an Energy Education session will receive an Energy Savings kit that includes compact fluorescent light bulbs, LED night light, Earth Massage Showerhead and a self-stick door sweep.

Applications are available during regular office hours, or can be downloaded on our website at www.pacecaa.org.  To schedule an appointment or request an application, contact the Client Services office within your County of residence at the following location and/or number:

Daviess County              2 NE 21^st Street in Washington              254-5611
Greene County              109 E Vincennes Street in Linton            847-2237
Knox County                  525 N. 4^th Street in Vincennes                882-7927, extension 1509
Sullivan County              22 S. Court Street in Sullivan                  268-6307

Pace Community Action Agency is a private not-for-profit corporation with a mission to provide support services that improve the community and encourage self-reliance. Find us on Facebook and on the web at http://www.pacecaa.org.