Summer electric assistance available
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[ In order to help protect Illinois residents from the dangers of summer heat, the State of Illinois has notified Western Egyptian Economic Opportunity Council that a limited amount of funds have been made available to income eligible households to pay a portion of their electric costs. The program will begin July 11 and will conclude July 27 or before if funds have been exhausted. A $150.00 benefit will be paid directly to each eligible household's electric provider. Households must be connected to their electric utility provider. Reconnection service will not be a part of the Summer Cooling Program.
The program is targeted to at-risk households in Jackson, Monroe, Perry and Randolph Counties in Illinois. Benefits will be provided to households that include an elderly person (60 years of age or older), or a younger (documentation of proof of age will be needed). Households that contain a member with asthma, emphysema, coronary disease or terminal illness who can be eased by air condition may also apply but must have a current medical form from the doctor to verify said condition.
When applying for assistance, documented proof of the following will also be required: Gross income from al household members over the age of 18 years for the previous 30 days, current copy of electric bill, and proof of Social Security numbers foal l members of the household, and a medical card if household member has one. Applications cannot be processed until all documentation is submitted to Western Egyptian EOC. Those who bring all required documentation to their application appointment will be processed without delay. Applications for the coming winter assistance program, beginning September 1st, will not be taken at this time.
All applications will be by appointment only. Households interested in applying for summer assistance should call for an appointment on or after July 11th. Appointments will not be scheduled before the 11th. Walk in clients will be given an appointment for a later date or be put on a waiting list. To make an appointment, please call the Western Egyptian Outreach office in the county you reside. The phone numbers are: Jackson in Murphysboro 684-3341, Monroe 939-8715, Perry 542-4656, and Randolph 443-5231. Information may be obtained at these outreach numbers or at the central office 965-3458 or the agency website at weeoc.org.