News
Heating
Energy Assistance
By
Rep. Mark Bryant
Looking ahead a few months, I am very concerned about
how the price of home heating oil will affect people.
The federal government offers the Low Income Heating
Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), and it is administered
in Cumberland County by the People's Regional Opportunity
Program (PROP). Last year, over 150 households in
Windham and Gray qualified for assistance, which also
includes free weatherization of homes in a partnership
with the Maine State Housing Authority.
LIHEAP is an excellent program, but the federal government
has made major cuts over the past few years, so assistance
is limited. Prior to this year, the program did not
permit its recipients to enter into budget plans with
oil companies or buy oil in bulk. We in the Maine
Legislature have fixed this problem to some extent.
My fellow Democrats and I pushed for legislation to
correct this major flaw on the state level. Since
the program is still getting off the ground, we could
not force oil dealers to participate, but the state
is working with the Maine Oil Dealer's Association
to get as many companies as possible to offer this
help to low-income people.
It's that time of year again to think about applying
for fuel assistance. Walk-In sights will be open at
the following locations 8:30 am - 12:00 pm and 1:00
pm - 3:30 pm.
Windham- Our Lady of Perpetual Help, 919 Roosevelt
Trail
--Tuesday, September 13th for their PRIORITY CLIENTS
ONLY!
--Age 60+ or children under 24 months.
--For all others: November 14th thru November 17th
Gray- Stimson Hall, 4 Shaker Rd.
--Wednesday, September 14th for their PRIORITY CLIENTS
ONLY!
--Age 60+ or children under 24 months.
--For all others: Monday, October 17th thru October
20th
On
the day you apply, you must bring the following information
with you:
--Proof of income for all household members, for either
the last 3 months or 12 months prior to the month
of your appointment.
--If applying In September they will need, June, July,
and August. If applying in October, they will need
July, August, and September.
--Date of birth and Social Security Numbers for all
household members.
--A current electric bill, telephone bill, and account
number for your fuel company.
--If a renter they will need you to bring you Landlord's
name, address, Phone number and a current rent receipt.
To learn more about LIHEAP, please contact the People's
Regional Opportunity Program in Portland at 1-800-698-4959
ext 440, or online at www.propeople.org. There are
also some good tips about weatherizing your home for
the winter online at www.bundlemeup.org. If I can
answer any questions about these programs or other
state matters, please feel free to give me a call
at 892-6591, or e-mail me at RepMarkBryant@yahoo.com.
For those clients who are homebound (you do not leave
your homes), please contact the office at 854-2988.
For those who are self-employed, please call 854-2988
ext 32 to schedule an appointment.
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To learn more about LIHEAP, please contact the People's
Regional Opportunity Program in Portland at 1-800-698-4959
ext 440, or online at www.propeople.org. There are
also some good tips about weatherizing your home for
the winter online at www.bundlemeup.org. If I can
answer any questions about these programs or other
state matters, please feel free to give me a call
at 892-6591, or e-mail me at RepMarkBryant@yahoo.com.
Sincerely,
Rep Mark Bryant, 166 Albion Road, Windham, ME 04062,
(207) 892-6591
