Deadline extended for those needing energy bill assistance
May 24—WILLIMANTIC — Access Community Action Agency is accepting applications for assistance paying energy bills through the end of June.
The deadline was extended and is now June 30.
Assistance is available for households in Windham and Tolland counties that use oil, kerosene, propane, wood, pellets, coal, electric or natural gas heat.
To qualify, you must have an annual household income that is below 60% of the state median income, before taxes. That means a family of four can make up to $69,560 before taxes and qualify. Households must apply seasonally.
The last day for deliverable- heated households is May 24.
A person who participates or has family members who participate in certain other benefit programs, such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families ( TANF) automatically meet the eligibility requirements.
Applicants must schedule an appointment and provide copies of the following documents for all household members who are 18 and over and not in school: " Applicants who receive Temporary Family Assistance ( TFA), State Supplement, Refugee Cash or SSI must provide the following: social security number of every household member, proof of cash assistance and an Eversource bill.
" Applicants who don't receive any of those forms of cash assistance, but receive SNAP must provide the following: social security numbers for all household members, Department of Social Services (DSS) benefit letter and an Eversource bill.
" Applicants who don't receive SNAP or any aforementioned cash assistance must provide the following: social security numbers for all household members; income verification for every household member 18 years-old and older, from a period of four consecutive weeks within three months prior to the application date; Eversource bill for electric and gas; lease; rent receipt; mortgage statement; and tax bill.
Those who live in subsidized housing and have heat included in their rent must provide verifiable documentation of current rent amount.
Appointments are avail- able during the agency's nor mal business hours, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and can be held in-person or over the phone.
The Willimantic office is at 1315 Main St., Suite 2, and the Danielson office is at 231 Broad St.
Masks must be worn in the offices.
Access is the designated anti- poverty agency in Northeast Connecticut.
The agency provides food, affordable housing, job readiness services and other pathways to economic self- reliance for vulnerable limited-income families and individuals throughout the region.
The Connecticut Energy Assistance Program, which is under the Connecticut Department of Social Services, funds Access's energy assistance program.
Access can be reached in Willimantic at 860-450-7400 or in Danielson at 860-412-1600.
Follow Michelle Warren on Twitter-@mwarrentc.
