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Seniors can get help with heating costs

The Daily Dispatch - 12/8/2018

Dec. 07--Senior citizens and individuals with disabilities can receive help with heating costs this winter.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human services announced that low-income households with a person age 60 or older or someone receiving disability benefits can apply for assistance in meeting the costs of heating.

"This funding can help assist eligible individuals and families with their heating expenses during the winter months," David Locklear, deputy director of Economic and Family Services in the Division of Social Services, said in a news release. "We want to ensure families are healthy and safe during some of the most difficult times of the year."

The household must also have income equal to or less than 130 percent of the federal poverty limit. For example, a household of one with an income of $15,782 or less is eligible; a family of four with an income of $32,630 or less is eligible.

In addition, the household must have financial resources (such as saving and checking accounts and cash on hand) totaling $2,250 or less.

These eligibility requirements are for for individuals applying during the month of December. Beginning Jan. 2, all low-income households may apply for assistance. Applications will be accepted through March 29 or until funds are exhausted.

To apply, a person should visit the local Department of Social Services. For the Tri-County area, the addresses and telephone numbers are:

--Vance County, 350 Ruin Creek Road, Henderson, 252-492-5001.

--Granville County, 410 W. Spring St., Oxford, 919-693-1511.

--Warren County, 307 N. Main St., Warrenton, 252-257-5000.

The offices are open from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Cassandra Hart, Work First supervisor for the Vance County Department of Social Services, said the person applying does not have to be the household member who is over 60 or has a disability. Any member of an eligible household may complete the application.

Hart added that application forms can also be requested by telephone and mailed back when completed.

Ryan Whitson, DSS director for Warren County, said he had five workers taking applications, compared with three last year. The process should take less than an hour, he added.

The heating assistance program is federally funded. A one-time payment will be made directly to the heating vendor. Amount of the payment will depend on the household's primary heating source.

Last year, the program provided assistance of about $32 million to 128,000 households in North Carolina.

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(c)2018 Henderson Daily Dispatch, N.C.

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