Published: July 01, 2009 09:34 pm      

Agency to help with cooling costs

DANVILLE — The East Central Illinois Community Action Agency is taking applications from families who need help with cooling their homes this summer.

The ECICAA received $289,400 from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to disburse through it’s Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.

The money is offered in one-time payments that help eligible households meet cooling costs for their residence. The funds are intended for homes in Vermilion as well as Ford and Iroquois counties.

The ECICAA will hold a Cooling Blitz to take applications for the LIHEAP funds Tuesday and Wednesday at the David S. Palmer Arena. Hours will run from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday and from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Families that apply for the funds must bring a copy of the most recent electric bill, social security cards for all household members and proof of income for all household members. Income must meet federal poverty level guidelines.

In addition, families must meet one of the following criteria:

-- A household member with a condition that is improved by air conditioning, such as asthma, coronary disease or terminal illness. Medical documentation, including a doctor’s certified letter from the last 90 days, is necessary.

-- A household member who is 60 years or older.

-- A household member who is less than 3 years old.

-- Households that contain a member receiving Social security disability benefits or with a pending determination case at the Social Security Administration. Documentation when applying includes a letter of determination from the SSA or a receipt of a social security disability benefit statement.

Applications will be taken Monday and following next week’s Cooling Blitz at the ECICAA’s Danville office, 56 N. Vermilion St., between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m.