“Low income households may be eligible to receive between $300 and $600 through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) toward their electric, natural gas, propane gas, kerosene, wood or coal costs,” announced Phyllis Bennett, Upper Cumberland Human Resource Agency (UCHRA) Executive Director.
UCHRA administers federally funded LIHEAP in fourteen counties of the Upper Cumberland including Cannon, Clay, Cumberland, DeKalb, Fentress, Jackson, Macon, Overton, Pickett, Putnam, Smith, Van Buren, Warren and White Counties.
Applicants for LIHEAP assistance must be at or below 200 percent poverty level and must provide proof of all household income and Social Security Numbers. Even individuals receiving benefit checks such as VA, SSI or Social Security will need to submit verification of their award amounts. Applicants must also submit a copy of an electric bill and/or a bill for natural gas, propane gas, kerosene, wood or coal purchases. Sponsored by the Tennessee Department of Human Services, LIHEAP provides assistance regardless of age, race, creed, national origin, handicap or sex. Minorities are encouraged to apply.
Applications are available beginning July 1st year round throughout the program year. No client will be denied an opportunity to fill out an application. Energy assistance awards are based on a priority point system and are not “first come, first serve”. Individuals requiring assistance with completing applications may contact their local UCHRA office.
Interested individuals may apply at the DeKalb County UCHRA Office, 527 West Main Street, Smithville (615-597-4504) between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
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