St. Mary/Vermilion Community Action Agency Accepting Appointments For LIHEAP Utility Assistance

Mrs. Almetra J. Franklin, CEO, would like to announce the St. Mary/Vermilion Community Action Agency will be accepting appointments for the St. Mary Parish area with the LIHEAP Utility Assistance Program on Thursday, June 4, 2020, beginning at 8:30a.m. Please do not call before 8:30a.m. Contact the central office at (337) 828-5703/5705 to set up your appointment. NO WALK INS FOR APPOINTMENTS, YOU MUST CALL IN. All documentation is needed for the application to be processed. A check list will be on the St. Mary CAA website, Facebook page and picked up at any of the CAA locations.
LIHEAP UTILITY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: The LIHEAP Utility Assistance Program helps low-come households pay their heating and cooling bills as well as increase their energy self-sufficiency. This program targets people with the lowest incomes and the highest energy costs based on their income and family size. Additional targets are low-income household that include the elderly, disabled, and young children 5 or younger. Clients can apply for one Heating Payment and one Cooling Payment per year. The maximum payment an applicant can qualify for is $600 and a minimum of $150.
CRISIS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: This program is to assist households whose lights and/or gas bills are turned off or threatened to be disconnected due to no other means of payment. Households are eligible for one crisis payment per year not to exceed $475.
CARES ACT PROGRAM: This supplemental funding will help prevent, prepare for, and/or respond to home energy needs related to the COVID-19 pandemic and can be used towards payment for heating and cooling services. Eligible applicants will be granted a $600 benefit in addition to any other LIHEAP funds for which they may qualify. This funding will serve approximately 23,000 households across the state. “The CARES Act funding is critical to ensuring these residents have the support they need during this crisis. We are committed to identifying and creating housing solutions that will benefit the citizens of Louisiana.” Clients will receive a flat payment in the amount of $600.
An applicant can apply for all programs provided they are eligible.
Applicants should have the following documentation available when preparing to apply:

1. Driver’s License or I.D. for everyone 18 years of age and older
2. Social Security Cards for everyone in household
3. Last FOUR CONSECUTIVE Check stubs for employed household members
4. Proof of unearned income (Social Security, SSI, SSA Disability, Retirement, VA, unemployment benefits, Pension Funds) for all person 18 and over
5. Printout of Light and Gas Bills for last 6 months.
6. Proof of present address—(Cable, Telephone, Water, Rent Receipt, Lease or Deed, Additional Bill/Communication must have name and physical address
7. Food Stamp Printout—(must be printed within last 30 days)
8. Disconnect notice(if you received a shut-off notice) (For Crisis Application Only)
9. Additional information may be required to determine your eligibility for energy assistance
10. Document to support a life threatening/health situation (For Crisis Application Only)

2020 LIHEAP 60% Estimated State Median Income Levels
2020 Non-Crisis and Crisis Program Income Guideline
Number in Household  – Gross Income Per Month:
1  – $2,011
2  – $2,630
3  – $3,249
4  – $3,868
5  – $4,486