Big Sandy Area Community Action Program (BSACAP) will be taking applications for the Crisis component of the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) beginning Monday, Jan. 6, 2020. Applications will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis until March 31 or until funds are exhausted.

New to the agency this year is the ability to book your LIHEAP appointment online or by calling the BSACAP office in your county.

The Crisis component of LIHEAP provides assistance to low-income households experiencing heating emergencies. “The crisis component of LIHEAP operates on a first come, first serve basis, so we’ve always had long lines of people waiting for service and often they have had to stand out in the cold,” the agency’s Executive Director Wanda Thacker said. “By allowing people to book an appointment to meet with our staff, we’re preventing them from having to make multiple trips to town, keeping them warm, and making sure they are able to work getting their service around their schedule.”

Appointments to receive LIHEAP service are being taken now. Appointments can be made online by visiting the agency’s website at www.bsacap.org/bookings, choosing the county you reside in, then picking a date on or after January 6th and a time that would be best for you, add your contact details, and click “Book.” Bookings can also be reached through Facebook by clicking the “Book Now” button at the top of Big Sandy Area Community Action Program’s page (@BSACAP), just under the cover photo. Those without internet access can call the BSACAP service office in their county and book an appointment over the telephone.

Households are considered to be in a home heating crisis if:

  • the household is within four days of running out of fuel if bulk fuel (coal, fuel oil, propane, kerosene, or wood) is the primary heating source; or
  • the household has received a disconnect notice if natural gas or electric is the heating source; or
  • the household’s home heating costs are included in the rent and the household has received an eviction notice for non-payment of rent.

To be eligible for Crisis assistance, households must verify their address, verify a heating crisis exists and meet federal income eligibility guidelines. Applicants also must apply in their county of residence.

In addition, applicants must present the following:

  • Proof of household income for prior month;
  • Birthdates for all household members;
  • Social security card or official documentation with social security numbers for each member of household.

Applications will be taken at the following BSACAP service offices from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.:

Floyd County

60 Court Street

Allen, Ky.

606-874-3595

 

Martin County

387 E. Main Street

Inez, Ky.

606-298-3217

Johnson County

230 Court Street

Paintsville, Ky.

606-789-6515

 

Pike County

478 Town Mountain Road

Pikeville, Ky.

606-432-2775

Magoffin County

131 S. Church Street

Salyersville, Ky.

606-349-2217

 

 

LIHEAP, a national energy assistance initiative funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is funded in Kentucky by the state Cabinet for Health and Family Services and Community Action Kentucky.