Maine Heating Assistance Helps Keep You Warm
With winter in mid-season form, Mainers are feeling the freeze. Unfortunately, when temperatures drop, oil prices don’t typically follow. There are, however, programs that can help Mainers heat their homes during a cold frigid winter.
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) assists those who cannot afford to heat their home or pay electric bills. The federally funded program aids those in need both throughout Maine and nationwide.
Maine State officials report that over 49,000 households have already applied for help with heating bills this winter, with approximately 46,000, or 94 percent, being approved benefits. On average, families receive roughly $940 for the winter, an increase of $200 from last year. The amount of money a family receives depends on household size, income, and overall energy costs.
The Maine State Housing Authority expects the federal program to assist over 70,000 homes in Maine this winter. Despite the high percentage of homes applying and receiving benefits, it is estimated that only 15 percent of eligible homes take advantage of LIHEAP’s benefits. Even if heat is included in rent, a home or apartment may still be eligible. Last year, 61,000 homes benefited from LIHEAP’s financial aid.
To apply for heating assistance, Mainers should contact the regional agent that serves their county and provide them with the required information, including: names and social security numbers of all family members living in your home, proof of gross household income, proof of present address, and recent copies of utility bills. The list of regional agents can be found on the Maine Housing website: www.mainehousing.org or by calling 1-800-452-4668. The average wait time to be approved for assistance from LIHEAP is six weeks.
Due to rising oil prices, cold temperatures, and a struggling economy, Congress voted to extend LIHEAP benefits to more families throughout the U.S. and increase the level of benefits. A total of $4.5 billion dollars is being doled out to needy families this winter, with nearly $28 million allocated to Maine. To qualify, a household’s income must fall within 230 percent of the poverty level, or 75 percent of the state’s median income. In 2009, 75 percent of the U.S. was eligible for assistance.
For Mainers who need immediate heating assistance, such as those whose oil tank is dangerously low and cannot afford to fill it, they should call 2-1-1. The toll-free non-profit service directs calls to local resources that can help those who need immediate relief. For those that expect their need to last an extended period of time, they should contact LIHEAP.
Thanks to the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program and the goodwill services of 2-1-1 Maine, people across Maine and America won’t be left in the cold this winter. And that’s warm news nationwide.
For more information on LIHEAP, please visit: http://www.mainehousing.org/ENERGY
