Help with utility bills available in Warren

Assistance can be provided to those who have had their service shut off.

WARREN — The Trumbull Community Action Program, 1230 Palmyra Road S.W., is announcing that people needing help paying their utility bills may contact the agency.

Appointments are necessary and can be made by calling (330) 393-2507, ext 225. Walk-in customers are accepted Mondays and Wednesday mornings only.

The first 20 people to arrive to the client-service entrance doors outside the building will be seen beginning at 7:30 a.m. for morning walk-in days and 12:30 p.m. for the Monday afternoon walk-in days.

Customers must provide photo identification; Social Security cards for all dependent household members with no Social Security number on their photo identification; the last three months of income statements for all household members; utility bills or fuel receipts; and proof of disability (if disabled) for the Energy Assistance credit.

Both gas and electric bills or bulk-fuel receipts are required. Customers must have all the necessary documents to be seen for an interview. The deadline to apply for the Winter Crisis Program is March 31.

To be eligible for assistance, customers must have a notice of disconnection on their gas and/or electric utilities. Customers using fuel oil, propane, coal or wood must have less than a 10-day supply available to be eligible.

Income guidelines to be eligible are: household of one, three-month income of $5,415, 12-month income of $21,660; household of two, three-month income of $7,285, 12-month income of $29,140; household of three, three-month income of $9,155, 12-month income of $36,620; and $1,870/$7,480 additional for each additional household member.

Customers in need of utility assistance who do not meet the eligibility guidelines may pay the utility company directly. Under the Winter Reconnection Order, $175 may be paid to regulated utility companies to restore service, to stop disconnection of service, or to start new service at a different address. The deadline to apply for the Winter Reconnection Order is April 15.

For additional information, refer to the Trumbull Community Action Program online www.tcaphelps.org.