OCAB taking applications for energy assistance

Area residents who are income eligible and program eligible can apply for energy assistance through the Orangeburg-Calhoun-Allendale-Bamberg Community Action Agency Inc. Applications for emergency assistance for residential heating will resume on Monday, Jan. 27. Applications are taken on a first-come, first-served basis, Mondays through Thursdays, as long as funds are available.

Eligible clients can apply from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays are reserved for elderly and disabled residents only. Elderly residents are those citizens 60 years old and older. All eligible persons can apply on Wednesdays and Thursdays. In 2014, citizens can be served twice in the calendar year. Residents must apply for services in the county where they live.

Residents are reminded that assistance is only available for heating and cooling charges. No payments are made for water, wastewater, streetlights, garbage pickup, appliance repair or maintenance, returned check fees and return check amount, contract fees for old bills nor voluntary donations like Project Good Neighbor.

Clients must present a current utility or propane gas bill, no more than 30 days old, or a current invoice for wood or coal. Applicants must also present an itemized utility bill to determine if there are any unallowable charges. Clients requesting payment for utility deposits for new accounts must present a signed, dated letter from their utility company. A signed and dated lease agreement listing all residents in the household must be provided.

Any printouts from the utility company must have an official vendor stamp. Only original documents will be accepted; no faxed documents can be used. All documents must be available to start the application process.

There are changes from several state and federal agencies regarding official documentation. To obtain a Social Security benefits verification letter, an original or replacement Social Security card, call 1-800-772-1213 or go online to http://www.socialsecurity.gov. Printouts of unemployment benefits from SC Works can be obtained by phone at 1-866-831-1724 or online at http://www.mybenefits.dew.sc.gov with a valid email address.

Computers are available at the SC Works offices at 1804 Joe S. Jeffords Hwy. in Orangeburg and 398 Barnwell Hwy. in Allendale; the Calhoun County Library, 900 F.R. Huff Drive in St. Matthews; Bamberg County Library, 201 NE Railroad Ave.; Allendale County Library, 297 Main St. in Allendale; and Orangeburg County Library, 510 Louis St.

OCAB no longer processes food stamp printouts nor DSS Household Summaries. Household Summary printouts are available from the Orangeburg and Calhoun Departments of Social Services. Bamberg County residents must pick up a DSS Information Form from the OCAB Denmark Neighborhood Center, 122 East Coker St. and have it completed by a Bamberg County DSS caseworker. In Allendale County, requests for the printouts must come through the OCAB Allendale Neighborhood Center coordinator.

Income and benefits listed on the DSS Household Summary must be verified by the appropriate Human Services Agency; apartment manager for rental payments and utility checks; the county Clerk of Courts office for alimony and child support payments; employers for income; and payers for assistance with payments for utilities, rent, etc.

Clients with a zero utility account balance or an account credit are not eligible for assistance. When applying for vouchers for ECIP, the Emergency Crisis Intervention Program, clients must have a final notice/cutoff notice from their utility company with a cutoff date within five days of the date of application, or utilities disconnected not more than 30 days. Clients must also provide proof of the emergency such as receipts, printouts, official statements or cancelled checks. These documents must be dated within 30 days of the application.

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OCAB taking applications for energy assistance