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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Heat, phone bill assistance available

Herb Huseland Correspondent

ATHOL – People interested in signing up for assistance in paying heating and telephone bills can make an appointment to meet with a Community Action Partnership representative by calling Athol City Hall at 683-2101.

A representative of the nonprofit community service group will be at City Hall from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. next Thursday.

Those eligible for energy assistance must have a gross monthly income less than $1,276.67 for one; family of two, $1,711.67; family of three, $2,146.67; family of four, $2,581.07; family of five, $3,016.67; family of six, $3,451.67; family of seven, $3,886.67; family of eight, $4,321.67, and each additional family member, $385.67.

Documents necessary to sign up include Social Security card, birth dates for all in the family; a current heating bill with account number (if you rent and are paying the heat through a landlord, bring the rental bill with the utility shown); and proof of gross monthly income for the three months prior to appointment date. If you are receiving Social Security, bring your benefit statement for 2008.

If you are a renter and pay electricity through a landlord, you must bring the name, address, phone number of the person or company you rent from, rent amount and whether the rent is subsidized.

Those requesting assistance in paying telephone bills must bring their current bill. Cell phones do not qualify for phone assistance. You may substitute a current bank statement, if you have direct deposit from Social Security. The previous three months proof of income should include October, November and December of 2007.

Those who don’t live in the north Kootenai County area who are interested in receiving assistance can call 664-8757 for other locations and sign-up dates.

You may be eligible for assistance even if you burn wood for heat. In the case of wood, the check is sent directly to you, so that you can purchase wood. It may take up to four weeks for that check to come.