This is a press release courtesy of Lane County

Lane County households needing financial assistance with heating costs can get help from the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) operated by Lane County’s Human Services Commission.

“LIEAP is federal program that helps low-income people with their winter-time energy costs,” said Mary Ellen Bennett, LIEAP coordinator. “The federal government has doubled the LIEAP budget this year, so we are looking forward to serving a lot more households this winter.”

Interested households can place themselves on a waiting list starting in November. The agencies that operate the program will start serving senior and disabled households in November, and all other households in December.

To qualify, a household’s current gross income must be at or below 60 percent of Oregon’s median income level.  The program does not factor in savings or assets. For example, a household of one person can have a gross monthly income as high as $1,685 and qualify. For a household of four people, the total gross monthly income must be no more than $3,241.

The amount of assistance a household receives depends on a number of factors. Bennett said the program pays the assistance directly into a household’s utility account as a one-time payment that can range from $125-320. Interested households can call one of the agencies listed below to be placed on a waiting list.

Senior citizens, ages 60 and older, contact one of the following senior centers:

Celeste Campbell Senior Center in Eugene                682-5354 
Willamalane Adult Activity Center in Springfield                736-4406
Cottage Grove Senior Connections                        682-7810
Florence Senior Connections                             902-9430, ext. 7835
Oakridge Senior Connections                             782-4726
Veneta Senior Connections                               935-2262
Junction City Senior Connections                        998-8445

Non-senior households, including households with a disabled person, contact one of the following agencies:

St Vincent de Paul in Eugene                            461-8794
Catholic Community Services in Springfield              747-8349
Community Sharing in Cottage Grove                      942-6492
Siuslaw Outreach Services in Florence                   977-2816
Upper Willamette CDC in Oakridge                        782-3590

For additional information about LIEAP, households can call 682-FUEL or 682-3835.  This number is a recorded message in English and Spanish.