Heating Help Deadline Approaches
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
The 65-year-old woman, wrapped in a heavy coat and scarf, walked out of the SAFE office Tuesday as a young mother walked in.
They were two of about 20 people who sought assistance with heating bills as temperatures began a free fall that plummeted to 5 degrees last night.
The woman, who asked not to be identified, learned of the program from a neighbor who also applied for assistance.
After about 10 minutes of going over forms, she left somewhat optimistic that she would be approved.
"This is heaven sent," she said, bundling up before leaving the Kosciusko County Courthouse.
She lives in a mobile home with her disabled son. Even though she's never been on assistance before, she said she expected to need some added support this year because she moved into a bigger mobile home.
Social Security, she said, just doesn't provide enough.
"I'm not complaining," she said. "God's been good to me."
The heating assistance program, operated by Real Services, is available to elderly, disabled and low-income families.
The program provides up to a $260 credit for gas and electric heat bills.
But more importantly, if people are included in the program by Dec. 31, they are protected from having their heat shut off.
With Christmas around the corner, that's a real benefit, said Rosemary Gerrity, who supervises the program from her office in the courthouse basement.
As of Tuesday, 332 people had registered for the program.
The sudden arrival of cold weather - and predictions of a cold winter - are reason enough for people to register, she said.
"Most people don't like to come out when it's snowy, but yes, that's when they need it," Gerrity said.
Gerrity is assisted in the office by Marian Lachance.
The office is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, except for a one-hour lunch break at noon.
Deadline for registration is Dec. 31.
For an appointment, call 372-2392. Those applying should bring proof of income, a current heating bill, and birth dates and Social Security numbers for everyone living in the home. [[In-content Ad]]
The 65-year-old woman, wrapped in a heavy coat and scarf, walked out of the SAFE office Tuesday as a young mother walked in.
They were two of about 20 people who sought assistance with heating bills as temperatures began a free fall that plummeted to 5 degrees last night.
The woman, who asked not to be identified, learned of the program from a neighbor who also applied for assistance.
After about 10 minutes of going over forms, she left somewhat optimistic that she would be approved.
"This is heaven sent," she said, bundling up before leaving the Kosciusko County Courthouse.
She lives in a mobile home with her disabled son. Even though she's never been on assistance before, she said she expected to need some added support this year because she moved into a bigger mobile home.
Social Security, she said, just doesn't provide enough.
"I'm not complaining," she said. "God's been good to me."
The heating assistance program, operated by Real Services, is available to elderly, disabled and low-income families.
The program provides up to a $260 credit for gas and electric heat bills.
But more importantly, if people are included in the program by Dec. 31, they are protected from having their heat shut off.
With Christmas around the corner, that's a real benefit, said Rosemary Gerrity, who supervises the program from her office in the courthouse basement.
As of Tuesday, 332 people had registered for the program.
The sudden arrival of cold weather - and predictions of a cold winter - are reason enough for people to register, she said.
"Most people don't like to come out when it's snowy, but yes, that's when they need it," Gerrity said.
Gerrity is assisted in the office by Marian Lachance.
The office is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, except for a one-hour lunch break at noon.
Deadline for registration is Dec. 31.
For an appointment, call 372-2392. Those applying should bring proof of income, a current heating bill, and birth dates and Social Security numbers for everyone living in the home. [[In-content Ad]]