Energy Assistance Program in Mercer County Closes for the Season May 2

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) in Mercer County will officially close for the season on May 2, Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes said on Wednesday.

LIHEAP’s goal is to help low-income families and individuals pay home heating and medically necessary cooling costs.

It allows people who meet various income qualifications to apply for bill payment assistance, energy crisis assistance and energy-related home repairs.

To be eligible for LIHEAP benefits, the applicant household must be responsible for home heating or cooling costs, either directly or included in the rent, and have gross income at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level. An eligibility chart can be found on the Mercer County website at http://nj.gov/counties/mercer/departments/pdfs/hcd_usfheafactsheet.pdf.

The Mercer County Housing and Community Development Office, located on the first floor of the County Administration Building at 640 South Broad Street, is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Wednesdays until 6:30 p.m.

Additionally, people can apply for assistance at County Connection, Route 33 and Paxson Avenue, Hamilton, on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 10 a.m. and noon (appointment only), and Saturdays, April 16 and April 30, between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. (walk-ins welcome).

For more information, contact the Mercer County Housing and Community Development Office at 609-989-6858 or 609-989-6959.