NORTHAMPTON COUNTY, Pa. – The Northampton County Area Agency on Aging will begin accepting referrals for its Emergency Fuel Assistance Program on November 2, according to a news release.
Funded through a federal Housing and Urban Development grant, the release says the program provides financial assistance to eligible older adults who need help heating their homes during the colder months.
According to Easton officials, the Emergency Fuel Assistance Program includes one-time seasonal fuel assistance of up to $800 per eligible household, with $780 allocated toward fuel costs and $20 designated to Project of Easton for administrative expenses.
“No older adult in Northampton County should have to worry about whether they can afford to heat their home during the winter months,” said Northampton County Executive Tara Zrinski.
“Programs like this provide critical assistance to seniors living on fixed incomes who are already facing rising costs for everyday necessities. We are proud to support this initiative and help ensure our older residents can remain safe, warm, and secure in their homes,” she added.
According to the news release, to qualify for assistance, applicants must meet the following requirements:
Be 60 years of age or older.
Reside in Northampton County, excluding the City of Bethlehem.
Meet HUD income guidelines and provide proof of household income.
Have a fuel tank that is one-quarter full or less, if applying for fuel assistance.
Provide proof of residency through a current lease or a letter from the landlord, along with two pieces of mail, one of which must be a bill.
Provide a shut-off notice if requesting assistance for non-oil heating.
Have exhausted Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) benefits or have been denied LIHEAP assistance.
How to Apply
Residents seeking assistance should contact Northampton County Information & Referral Emergency Services at 610-559-3270 or 610-829-4800.
Once a referral is received, officials say a Northampton County Area Agency on Aging staff member will schedule a home visit to review the applicant’s circumstances and determine eligibility.
The news release says Residents of the City of Bethlehem are not eligible for this program because the City receives its own allocation of federal HUD funding. Although the City uses its funding differently, federal funding guidelines prohibit Northampton County from using its allocation to assist residents within the City’s designated funding area.
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