ADECA names agency to assume emergency responsibility for Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program in Jefferson County through December

MONTGOMERY – The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs announced Friday that the Community Action Agency of Northeast Alabama will assume emergency responsibility for managing the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program in Jefferson County through the month of December.

Residents will be able to apply for assistance directly with the agency. The agency will be providing more information about their application process and locations soon.

ADECA, which administers LIHEAP at the state level, moved quickly to resume the program after receiving notice late Wednesday afternoon from the Jefferson County Committee for Economic Opportunity board chairman that the organization was relinquishing management of LIHEAP. The program provides emergency assistance with home heating and cooling bills for qualified residents, including low-income families with children, people with disabilities and the elderly.

For the longer term, ADECA is developing a solicitation for applications to identify an eligible entity for administration of LIHEAP and its other programs that aid low-income Jefferson County residents. ADECA will issue the solicitation in the coming weeks.

ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said the Community Action Agency of Northeast Alabama has the ability to quickly assume this emergency responsibility for the LIHEAP funds through the month of December. All LIHEAP funds designated for Jefferson County will continue to go to assisting residents in the county.

“This program provides critical aid to individuals and families in need particularly during the cold winter months like December, when home heating bills are higher. Our priority is to swiftly resume assistance in Jefferson County,” Boswell said. “Due to the urgency of need, we are appreciative of the Community Action Agency of Northeast Alabama for assuming this temporary, emergency responsibility.”

LIHEAP is funded through an allocation to the state by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

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Posted in Energy, LIHEAP.