Cooler temperatures serve as a reminder that fall is not that far off.
Kootasca Community Action Inc. staff say this is a good time for seniors and low-income households to apply for energy assistance.
The Kootasca Energy Assistance Program assists low income households in meeting immediate home energy needs. It is available from the state through a federal block grant that is funded through the U.S. Department of Human Services.
The EAP assists households at or below the state median income, most often the elderly and disabled, with heating assistance, crisis intervention for disconnects, shut-offs or refusal of delivery, and emergency home heating repair or replacement.
Diane Windsnes, coordinator on aging, encourages seniors to apply for energy assistance now and to come to the office or she will come to their home if they need help filling out forms.
“The sooner they do this, the better,” she said. “Last year’s funds ran out in the spring and we don’t want that to happen again if we can prevent it.”
The EAP grants are based on the number of people in the household, their fuel consumption from the previous year, and total household gross income from the past three months. The size of grant is based on household size, income, fuel type and energy usage for homeowners and renters that pay their own heat.
Once a family applies for EAP, then Kootasca staff can discuss other programs based on individual needs in Kootasca or other agencies and nonprofits.
“There is no one agency that does it all,” she said.
There is a waiting list for the Kootasca weatherization consulting and Windsnes encourage people to sign up early if they want to have help before it gets cold. The application line is 800-422-0312.
Windsnes said that if someone has an income level that does not qualify for EAP, but they are still struggling and need help, they should call Kootasca at 283-9491 and speak to someone who can help them find other programs that may help. She said that extenuating circumstances may help them qualify or to find a referral to other resources.
“If there are young children, disabled or seniors in home, that could be a factor,” she added. “It is a good safety net and if people are on the borderline and are not sure if they qualify, they should send it in anyway because it goes through a process.”
Last winter the state EAP program served 126,252 households. Kootasca EAP served 3,140 households in both Itasca and Koochiching counties with an average grant of $650.
The 2009 maximum energy assistance 50 percent of state median income guidelines vary depending on household size. For a household of one, the median gross income for three months is $5,296. A household of two is $6,925; for three, $8,555; for four, $10,185; for five, $11,814; and for six, $13,443.
