LIHEAP funds are available

Qualifying local households are urged to apply soon

Kendall-Grundy Community Action wishes to inform its communities’ residents of the availability of limited funds to assist with home summer cooling bills.

Applications for the Low Income Heating Energy Assistance Program’s (LIHEAP) Summer Energy Assistance Program are accepted beginning Wednesday, July 11, and will end on Friday, July 27 or when funds are exhausted.

Through the Summer Energy Assistance Program, qualified households may be eligible for assistance in the form of a one-time payment of $150 sent directly to their electricity provider.

To qualify for assistance, households must demonstrate a gross income equal to or less than 150 percent of the 2012 federal poverty level.

Additionally, qualified households must meet one or more of the following criteria:

• Include a member with a medical condition that can be improved by air conditioning, such as asthma, emphysema, coronary disease and terminal illnesses (required documentation must include a doctor’s certification letter dated within the last 90 days, stating that the medical condition would be aggravated by extreme heat);

• Include a member who is elderly (age 60 and above);

• Include children under 60 months of age or younger;

• Include a member receiving social security disability benefits or with a pending determination case at the Social Security Administration (required documentation must include a letter of determination from the Social Security Administration or receipt of a Social Security disability benefits statement.

Individuals who believe they are qualified are invited to call the Kendall County Health Department at (630) 553-9100; residents of Grundy County, (815) 941-3262; or visit the Kendall County Health Department’s LIHEAP webpage at http://health.co.kendall.il.us/CommunityAction/liheap.html.