Lower Columbia Community Action Program announced Thursday that it still has energy assistance funds available for an estimated 500 eligible households in Cowlitz and Wahkiakum counties.
Since December, 967 households have been served, with an average assistance of $370 per household. There are 700 people on a waiting list, but CAP staff have not been able to reach some of them, according to Roxana Shelton, CAP’s Energy Assistance Coordinator.
She asks that people on the waiting list who haven’t been contacted should to visit CAP during regular business hours (8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday) at 1526 Commerce Ave. in Longview, or call 360-425-3430 ext 231. Wahkiakum residents can call 800-383-2101 ext 231.
Shelton said people who did not sign up for energy assistance in November may still apply as well.
To be eligible for energy assistance, a household’s income must be at or below $125% federal poverty level guidelines. For example, one person could earn a monthly income after taxes of $1,164, two people could earn $1,576, three people could earn $1,989.
To receive assistance, people are now required to attend a two-hour class on how to conserve energy.
For the 2012-13 winter season, CAP received $534,379 to distribute for energy assistance through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), a federally funded program that provides money to help low income households make home heating more affordable during the winter months.
Payment is made directly to the heating vendors, not to individuals themselves.
