Energy bill assistance available

The Southern Iowa Economic Development Association will begin accepting applications for its 2012-2013 Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program beginning Nov. 1.

The program is designed to help qualifying low-income Iowa homeowners and renters pay for a portion of their primary heating costs and is funded by the Department of Health and Human Services through the Iowa Department of Human Rights.

The assistance is based on household income, household size, type of fuel and other factors.

Applications will be accepted at the SIEDA Jefferson County Resource Center at 201 S. 23rd St. in Fairfield Nov. 1, 2012 through April 30. Households with elderly and/or disabled members may apply beginning Oct. 3. Applicants will need to furnish some form of identification, a copy of their most recent heating and electric bill, telephone bill, and proof of all household members? gross income for the past three months or for the past calendar year. For further information, contact the Jefferson County Resource Center at 472-6140.