Waldo Community Action Partners’ Low-Income Heating Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federally funded program to help eligible low-income households pay a portion of their home energy or heating bills. Fuel assistance benefits can only be used for fuel delivered to heat your home. LIHEAP will pay directly to your contracted vendor. If you have already been determined eligible since August 15, 2014, you are not eligible to reapply this heating season. If you have been denied LIHEAP benefits this year but your financial situation has changed, you may reapply. If you have not yet applied, it is not too late to do so.
 
WCAP’s fuel assistance program is still accepting applications for the 2014-15 home heating season. The benefit can be used for your primary heating source; LP, pellets, wood, electric, oil, or kerosene. For more information or to schedule and appointment to apply, please call 338-3025 or stop by the WCAP fuel assistance office located in the Belfast Center at 9 Field Street, Suite 203, in Belfast.
 
Please also remember to be safe this home heating season. Below is a list of important safety tips that any household heating their home during the cold Maine winter should know:
 
– Before purchasing a space heater, be sure it has vents and a tip switch. Never plug a space heater into an extension cord. The cord will overheat or melt. Always plug directly into a wall outlet.
 
– Maintain a safe space of 3 feet around all heaters and woodstoves. Keep children away.
 
– Turn all space heaters off when leaving a room, your home, or going to sleep.
 
– Always use the fuel specified by the manufacturer in fuel powered heaters.
 
– Be sure your fireplace/woodstove has a screen to stop sparks from getting out.
 
– Have your chimney cleaned and inspected by a professional yearly.
 
– Never refill a fuel powered heater while it is turned on or still hot. Never refill indoors.
 
– Never use an oven or stovetop to heat your home. Toxic fumes are omitted that can’t be seen by the naked eye and could cause death.
 
– Charcoal bricks and grills (including propane BBQ grills) should never be used indoors.
 
– Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors monthly and change batteries yearly.