LIHEAP can help with heating bills

 
   Low-income families may get help with their heating bills this winter through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). This federal program provides heating assistance to thousands of low-income families across the country.
   Local county social service boards are now accepting applications for heating assistance. Assistance is available from Oct. 1, 2007 through May 31, 2008.
   LIHEAP participants must fill out a new application each year. County social service boards will provide help in completing the application. Those people applying for heating assistance will need to provide copies of their current heating bills.
   Household income and assets are counted to help determine an individual’s qualifications for heating assistance. Certain types of assets, including the family home, a vehicle and other types of household goods, are not used in determining eligibility.
   Each household is required to pay at least 5 percent of the heating cost. An emergency fund is available for crisis situations when no other funding resources are available.
   For more information about LIHEAP, contact your local county social service board. In Bottineau County, call 228-3613, in Rolette County call 477-3141, in Renville County call 756-6374, in McHenry County call 537-5944, and in Pierce County call 776-5818. Tribal members in Rolette County can call the Turtle Mountain Tribal LIHEAP at 477-3368 or 477-3273.