SCOTT COUNTY OFFERS ENERGY ASSISTANCE

SIKESTON - Applications for the 1992-93 Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program are now being accepted by the Scott County office of the Missouri Division of Family Services.

Helen Fisher, Scott County Family Services director, said her office began accepting applications last month for assistance from households whose winter heat source has already been shut off.

Starting Monday, the Sikeston office will accept applications for energy assistance from households who are not in a crisis situation.

Fisher said the number of applications this year is up from last year, mostly because of the economy. She said many more people are unemployed this year than last winter. "We have three people who handle the applications. They have been very busy," she said.

Fisher said the mild weather this fall and early winter has helped. "The weather has saved a lot of these people because it's been mild so far," she noted.

Fisher said applications for energy assistance will be accepted in alphabetical order. Those with last names beginning with A-C should come into the Family Services office at 808 Hunter St. Monday through Friday next week. Those with last names beginning with D-F can apply Dec. 23-27.

The rest of the schedule is as follows: G-I, Dec. 30-Jan. 3; J-L, Jan. 6-10; M-O, Jan. 13-17; P-R, Jan. 21-24; S-U, Jan. 27-31; V-X, Feb. 3-7; and Y-Z, Feb. 10-14.

Fisher said applications will be accepted from 8:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. each day.

Those eligible for the energy assistance program include households who: are responsible for paying home heating costs, are U.S. citizens or aliens legally admitted for permanent residency, do not have available resources in excess of $5,000, and meet specific income guidelines that vary according to household size.

Fisher explained the program does not pay the entire cost of winter heating. "This is a one-time payment for energy assistance," she explained. "It does not pay the utility bill. It helps toward paying the total amount of the bill."

Fisher said many people are under the impression the program pays the entire amount of each monthly utility bill. It does not, she said.

Fisher said the exact amount of the payment will vary according to income, household size and type of fuel used for home heating.

"The program provides for assistance in gas or electric heating, and for the purchase of wood, if it is used as the heat source."

Fisher said the energy assistance program is not limited to homeowners. Persons whose home heating costs are included in their monthly rental charges can receive benefits based on a percentage of their rental costs, if they are not residents of public subsidized housing projects, she explained.

Fisher said those who apply for the energy assistance program should bring the following with them when they come to the Family Services office: Social Security cards for all persons living in the home, the most recent fuel bill from the supplier of the main heating source, such as a municipal or private utility company; and proof of all income sources for all persons living in the home. If an applicant is self-employed, he or she needs to provide a copy of the most recent federal tax return form. Those who are 60 or older need to bring proof of age, Fisher said.

For more information, contact the Family Services office in Sikeston at 472-5222.