With winter approaching, applications are being accepted once again for LIHEAP, the low income home energy assistance program. Project Now will have money available for low income residents of Rock Island, Henry, and Mercer counties to pay their winter heating bills.
Community Services Director Ron Lund is expecting more than 8,000 applications in the coming months. This month, the disabled and elderly, meaning 60 and older, can apply, then on November first applications will also be accepted from low income families with children age 5 and under. Anyone can apply starting December 1st.
"Obviously here in the midwest winters can kill you, when you're talking negative 40 degrees. And you have to make a decision - do I heat my house or get my medication or put food on the table. It's nice that you're able to provide at least for the short-term benefit - a couple of months."
Last winter, Project Now had 3.7 million dollars for Liheap recipients, and the average benefit was 642 dollars.
The income limit for one-person households is 18,700 dollars per year, and 38,600 dollars for families of four. Liheap benefits are paid to the utility company, and NOT to the home heating customer.
