Mercer County Program That Helps Those In Need With Energy Costs Starting Up Again

The application process for Mercer County’s program that provides assistance with energy costs to residents in the county who qualify begins in a few weeks.

The County’s Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), offered in coordination with the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, allows individuals meeting various income qualifications to apply for bill payment assistance, energy crisis assistance and energy-related home repairs, county officials said on Wednesday.

LIHEAP is designed to help low-income families and individuals meet home heating and medically necessary cooling costs.

This year’s application period is Oct. 3, 2016, to April 30, 2017.

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 is posted at http://nj.gov/counties/mercer/departments/pdfs/hcd_usfheafactsheet.pdf.

“For many households, winter brings worry about the cost of heating and other energy bills,” Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes said. “As this year’s program gets under way, I also urge our residents to look into simple ways they can reduce their energy costs such as using fluorescent light bulbs and weather-stripping doors and windows.”

Residents may register at the McDade Administration Building, Room 106, 640 South Broad Street in Trenton, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Wednesdays until 6:30 p.m. through April 30, 2017.

Residents also may be served during specific hours at County Connection, Route 33 at Paxson Avenue, Hamilton. County Connection hours will be Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to noon by appointment only, and Saturdays, Oct. 15 and 29, Nov. 5 and 19, and Dec. 3 and 17, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome during the Saturday hours.

All Mercer County offices will be closed Monday, Oct. 10, for Columbus Day; Tuesday, Nov. 8, for Election Day; and Friday, Nov. 11, for Veterans Day.

For more information, contact Home Energy Assistance at 609-989-6858 or 609-989-6959.

Patch file photo