Heating grant funding available in October

STEELEVILLE - The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program is a state and federally funded energy assistance program administered for the Illinois Department Commerce and Economic Opportunity through Western Egyptian Economic Opportunity Council.

The program assists households in Jackson, Perry, Randolph, and Monroe counties whose household income is 150 percent of the federal poverty level. Benefits of eligible participants will be paid directly to the household's appropriate utility provider or fuel source vendor such as electric, natural gas, propane, oil, and wood.

Beginning Oct. 1, elderly (60 and over) and disabled residents may choose to apply for a home heating benefit through the LIHEAP. On Nov. 1, households with a child under the age of six or any household that is disconnected or threatened with disconnection from their utility source may also apply.

Open enrollment for all income eligible households will begin Dec. 1. Applications will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis through May 31, 2019 or until funding is depleted, whichever comes first.

An energy assistance application may be attained by going to the outreach office in the county which you live. No appointments will be given with the exception of Monroe. Applicants must submit social security cards for everyone in the household, current gas and electric bills, total household income 30 days prior from date of application, and proof that their household received TANF, SNAP, or Medicaid assistance.

For more information, go to weeoc.org or call the WEEOC Energy Admin Office in Sparta at (618) 443-5231.</group><group id="8EE97DE2-90E9-423A-A3D7-B3721C8B7F1D" type="seoLabels">