Unfortunately DCEO is not administering a cooling program in Summer 2011, due to expected federal funding cuts.
Each July, depending on funding availability, DCEO's Office of Energy Assistance provides funding so that local Community Action Agencies (CAA) can offer cooling assistance to eligible households. The Summer Program is similar to the LIHEAP program in that it provides eligible households with a one-time payment to the utility to help make their summertime cooling bills more affordable.
This program is targeted to at-risk households, defined as seniors, persons with disabilities, families with children less than 36 months of age as of the date of the application, and those with medical conditions that would be aggravated by extreme heat.
To qualify for this assistance, at-risk households must have an income less than or equal to 150% of the poverty level as defined by the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS):
For further information on eligibility, please contact your local Community Action Agency.
For Additional assistance, please feel free to call the Energy Assistance Hotline at (877) 411-9276.