Stephens County to Receive $425,000 in Home Heating Help for Low-Income Households

Stephens County is scheduled to receive about $425-thousand dollars in federal monies to help senior and low-income residents pay their winter heating bills.

That’s according to Mike Fisher, Housing/Planning Manager for the Ninth District Opportunity.

Fisher tells WNEG News his office has not received the official amount from the federal government yet, but he says that is what Stephens County received last year and what they expect again this year.

As we’ve been telling you, appointments for home heating assistance for those 65 and older begins on November 1st.

The Low Income Heating Assistance Program or LIHEAP is a federally-funded program that assists low-income, elderly and disabled Georgians with heating bills through direct payments to home energy suppliers.

Funds are administered here through the Ninth District Opportunity office in Toccoa.

Fisher said last year they helped about 1200 residents pay their heating bills and they expect to help about that same number again this year.

Fisher says seniors are given first priority because they often have the greatest financial need.

“These are people who have to make hard choices on a day-to-day basis,” he said. “Choices have to be made, and it’s painful when you hear some of the stories they talk about; ‘I may not be able to get all my medicines this month.’ Or ‘I may not be able to eat on Thursday.’ So when we can come in and through this program make a payment for their heating, that’s one choice that they don’t have to endure.”

Applications for those under 65 begins December 1st and appointments will continue to be made until the money runs out.

However, Fisher says it’s important that people who might need the help call and make an appointment as soon as possible.

“We won’t be able to take any walk-ins. Paula’s office will be backed up into the next year helping people and scheduling appointments. So we encourage people, if they can’t call in early to call when they can. If they call in too late they’ll be put on a waiting list and we’ll do our best to get them in when we can,” he said.

To make an appointment, you can call a toll-free number, 855-636-3108.

A representative will set up an appointment time with you and go over what you need to bring to your appointment.