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WHO CAN APPLY

Applications for funds from either of the programs can be made by one of the following:

• The head of the household.

• The spouse of the head of the household.

• An individual authorized in writing by the head of the household or his or her spouse. Certain age, disability or illness requirements must be met.

If service is in the name of a person other than head of household, or spouse of head of household, proof of residency in the household is required. Also, a person having service in their name must be able to prove that they are at least 18 years old.

Income eligibility is based on the household income in the month prior to the month of application. The household may be ineligible one month and eligible another month. Therefore, it may be to the advantage of the household to reapply.

ELIGIBILITY
Requirements for Both Programs

To be eligible for assistance under either of the programs, a household must:

a. Meet application requirements.

b. Have current income at or below 175 percent of federal poverty guidelines. This means have a combined gross household income, for the month prior to the month of application, not in excess of the current year’s household income chart.

Monthly income limits for 2007 are:

1 person $1,429
2 persons 1,925
3 persons 2,421
4 persons 2,916

For each household member above four persons, add $496.
These income guidelines are effective January 1, 2007.

c. Live in Alabama when the application is made, apply in the county of residence, live in one of the 60 counties eligible for the Trust, and be a U.S. citizen or a legal alien.

d. Furnish the agency a copy of a past due heating/cooling bill that shows whose name the account is in and the account number, or furnish a bill due from an energy supplier for fuel to be delivered that shows whose name the account is in and the account number.

A disconnect notice is not required, but there must be a past due energy bill or a bill due from a fuel dealer before fuel will be delivered. The applicant should also be able to demonstrate an inability to pay that would lead to an interruption in energy service.

e. Furnish the social security number of the applicant under whose name the application is being taken, unless the applicant has never had a social security number.

f. Not reside in public housing, Section 8 housing, or any other type housing in which the federal or state government pays all or a portion of the household’s energy cost either directly to the household or as a second party payment or in the form of a utility allowance.

g. Be limited to annual assistance of not more than three times under the Emergency Cooling Assistance Program or a total of three times under both programs combined; nor can assistance exceed the $275 annual cap under either or both of the programs combined, no matter what the need.

h. Be limited to assistance only as long as there are funds available for the Trust programs. When funds are depleted, the programs cease.

i. Payments from the Trust are limited to energy assistance and reconnection fees. Trust funds may not be used to pay for deposits.

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