LiHEAP, Weatherization Applications Still Being Accepted at South County Community Action

The calendar may say Spring, but many utility customers are coming to grips with their winter heating bills. South County Community Action Agency is still accepting applications for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program [LiHEAP] to help local residents defray some of those costs.

Applicants can call South County Community Action in Wakefield to schedule an appointment: (401) 789-3016 ext. 337.

The program provides grants to reduce home heating costs for oil, natural gas, electric, propane, wood, kerosene and coal to income eligible families even if heat is included in the rent.

Grants are available for households that meet state income requirements; a family of three with annual income of $45,151 would be eligible. According to Judy Cashman, LiHEAP Coordinator, applications will be accepted until April 15.

To qualify, applicants must provide:

· Income documentation for at least four weeks.

· Current electric bill

· Current heating bill

· Social Security Cards for all household members

· Birth Certificates for all household members under 18

· Photo ID for all adult household members

· If rental, copy of lease or rental agreement

· If homeowner, copy of mortgage or property tax bill

For more information on applying for LiHEAP, contact Judy Cashman, LiHEAP Director, at (401) 789-3016 ext. 300.

Also, as part of its continuing work to weatherize Westerly homes, potentially saving homeowners hundreds of dollars per year in energy costs, South County Community Action Agency is seeking licensed electricians to upgrade outdated electrical systems.

“In many cases, we’ve been unable to properly insulate and weatherize a home because it still has knob-and-tube wiring,” explained South County CEO Joe DeSantis. “Since the State of Rhode Island prohibits the use of blown insulation where knob-and-tubing is still in use, that kind of old wiring prevents us from completing the weatherization projects at several eligible sites.”

During 2014, South County Community Action provided more than $220,000 in weatherization support to help nearly 60 families in Westerly.

“We’re hoping that local electricians will step up so that families in Westerly can get their weatherization projects done safely,” DeSantis said. “The funds are there, and the need is there – all we need now are the hands to do the work.”

South County Community Action also offers assistance with heating system repairs for rental properties and heating system replacements for home owners, and runs the Appliance Management Program (AMP) that replaces inefficient refrigerators and freezers and installs energy efficient light bulbs to further reduce energy costs.

Homeowners can apply for weatherization assistance any time during the year. Call Carl Mattson, Weatherization Director, at (401) 789-3016 ext. 304 for more information. y