Residents lining up for heating assistance

The telephone at Christine Villanueva’s office has been ringing off the hook.

That’s because Villanueva oversees a government program that provides Boundary County residents with money to help pay their heating bills. Sign-ups for the annual Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program began Nov. 1. As of Monday, 255 people were interested funding.

“We expect a 40 percent increase in all our services because of our unemployment rate and the jobs we’re losing,” said Villanueva, community engagement liaison for Community Action Partnership. The non-profit agency oversees several government assistance programs, including the food bank in Bonners Ferry.

For this year’s program, 448 households can qualify for energy assistance, Villanueva said. That’s an increase of about 40 households over 2008-2009. However, recipients can expect 20 to 25 percent less money this year because it will be spread out among more people. Last year’s allocations were higher than in years past, she said.

A family of two with a monthly income of $2,059 would qualify as well as a family of five with a monthly income of $3,513. Assistance from $216 to $527 for a winter season is available for heating with natural gas, electric, propane, oil or wood.

Villanueva said she’s not surprised at the number of residents applying for assistance.

“We are really going to do our best,” she said. “I just think there will be a lot of people who will need help.”

There is also a program that helps pay a utility bill so it’s not shut off. Recipients can received up to $200 once a year.

To apply for heating assistance, call 267-3663. The office is open 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Appointments to discuss getting funding will begin Dec. 1.