Home Heating Assistance Sign-ups Underway

Home heating help for the elderly and homebound is now available in Stephens County through Ninth District Opportunity.

Sign-ups started Tuesday for those households in which every member is age 65 or older or is homebound due to health reasons.

Eligibility for the program is based on the income of all household members and all eligible households must be responsible for their home heating costs.

Eligible applicants are asked to contact Ninth District Opportunity, Inc.’s scheduling system by telephone at 855-636-3108.

Ninth District Opportunity said that people need to continue to call until they get through, even if the line is busy.

According to Ninth District Opportunity, appointments will be scheduled until all funds are exhausted and there will not be any walk-ins.

People are asked not to call the local office to schedule an appointment, but to call the automated scheduling service.

That phone number, again, is 855-636-3108.

Through the program, the Georgia Department of Human Services will help pay heating costs for gas or electric via a one-time payment by check to the home energy supplier on behalf of eligible households.