The Jefferson County Committee for Economic Opportunity is encouraging those who need assistance with their energy costs to apply for help.
JCCEO, the community action agency for all of Jefferson County, received $1 million in federal funding specifically to help low-income residents affected by COVID-19.
The new funding is available through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which has been around for more than 20 years. In February, about $1 million was added to Jefferson County’s LIHEAP funds through the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. JCCEO has until April 30 to distribute the funding, said Hollis Johnson, community services director for JCCEO.
“You could get a regular award based on your income and family size, or a crisis award (through LIHEAP) based on three factors,” Johnson said. “If there’s someone in the household who has a diagnosed disability; if you have a child under 18; or if you are a senior 60 or older, you could get a crisis amount.”
CARES simply added the pandemic as a factor for assistance. Those eligible for the CARES funding would receive $1,000 per household if they can show they were affected by COVID.
“That means that you lost employment or there was a reduction in your hours,” Johnson said. “A single mom had to stay home with the kids because they’re not in school; increased utility bills. If you can prove one of those items, then you can get the flat $1,000 on your gas utility because that’s the season we’re in right now.”
If a client relies on electric heating, Johnson said the funding could also pay power bills.
Applicants still must meet the income eligibility requirement, which is an income no more than 150% of the federal poverty level.
Another benefit of the additional money is that applicants are not limited to receiving only the traditional LIHEAP funding or CARES funding. They can receive both.
“As an example: You have a client come in with a $2,000 gas bill, which is not unusual,” Johnson said. “The regular LIHEAP would not be able to pay all of that. Now, if they can prove the COVID piece of it, we can add that $1,000 to what they’re eligible for under regular LIHEAP. For those who come to us with large bills, we’re able to help them a whole lot more.”
For the first four weeks, the COVID-related funding was available only to applicants who’d never received LIHEAP funding in the past.
“Trying to weed through and find those new clients who’d never accessed LIHEAP before was very, very difficult,” Johnson said.
As of March 8, the eligibility was opened up to include those who have previously received assistance.
To apply, visit the JCCEO website, or stop by the office at 300 Eighth Ave. W., Birmingham, AL 35204 (across from Legion Field).
For those who live outside Jefferson County, Johnson recommended visiting the ADECA website for information about your county, or visiting the state Community Action Agencies website, and reaching out to the nearest one to see if they have funding available for energy assistance.
(Courtesy of Alabama NewsCenter)
