Low Income Energy Assistance season begins Oct. 1, for residents in the nine counties served by Green Hills Community Action Agency.
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Residents in the counties of: Daviess, Linn, Livingston, Putnam, Sullivan, Mercer, Harrison, Grundy, and Caldwell may begin submitting applications on Oct. 1 if they meet income requirements of 135% of Federal Poverty Guidelines and are elderly and disabled. Those who are not elderly and disabled may mail an application beginning Nov. 1 if they are low income.
Blank applications were mailed to elderly and disabled persons the week of Sept. 19. It is important that persons send all necessary documents along with the application by following the check list that is included on the application. In addition to the completed and signed application, proof of income for household members 18 or older must be included for the past month. A current utility bill showing service address must be included along with copies of social security cards.
Even though all outreach offices for GHCAA are now closed, the process remains the same. Energy assistance applications have been processed at the Trenton office by mail for the past several years. Persons who need to apply but do not receive a blank application may call to have one mailed to them.
Due to over 3,500 applications being processed each year, persons are discouraged from showing up without an appointment. Persons with questions are encouraged to call an Energy Service Staff member. Those persons needing help filling out the application may receive help by coming to the GHCAA office which is located at 1506 Oklahoma Avenue in Trenton.
A few examples of household income that would qualify for energy assistance follow: a family of one can make $14,712 and qualify for energy assistance, while a family of four can make $30,180 and qualify for assistance.
Households that have their utilities shut off or are in threat of disconnect may file an EA crisis application. There is a section on the application that defines those household that are in crisis. Applicants are encouraged to signify the crisis on the application so that it can be processed sooner. For propane households, crisis is determined by those having less than 20% in their propane tank. All household receiving ECIP assistance must first be approved for Energy Assistance each year.
GHCAA has several staff members dedicated to processing energy assistance applications for the winter season. A member of the staff may be reached by calling 660-359-3907, press 1.