Semcac Community Action has received more applications for home heating assistance this winter and more applications are being approved, Susan Thompson, program coordinator for Semcac Community Action, said.

“We are receiving more applications this winter and the good news is that approved applications are up by 4.4 percent,” Thompson said.

A total of 4,223 applications for home heating assistance have been approved to date in the seven-county area served by Semcac Community Action.

The seven counties include Mower, Freeborn, Steele, Dodge, Fillmore, Houston and Winona.

The agency began taking Energy Assistance Program applications Oct. 1, 2008 and will continue to take applications through May 31.

According to Thompson, “One-third come from households with children; one-third come from senior citizens; and come even come from two-income families.”

This year, Thompson said there is enough funding for the program’s anticipated needs. That wasn’t the case a year ago, when Semcac ran out of funds April 18.

Thompson advises prospective applicants to apply as soon as possible and not to wait.

“Also, they must remember the Semcac Energy Assistance Program does not pay 100 percent of a heating bill, so they should continue to pay as much as they can,” Thompson said.

There are specific eligibility guidelines to follow.

One is the three months gross income level, which is less than $5,296 for a single-person household: $6,925 for two people, $8,555 for three people and $10,184 for four or more people.

Thompson has been administering the Semcac home heating assistance program for more than 30 years. The federal funds come from the U.S. Department of Human Services.

“Over the years, the volume of the applications has increased,” Thompson said. “I think we had 2,500 applications in the first year of the program and 5,886 last year.”

Sometimes a lack of communications between the energy supplier and the home renter or owner creates more problems.

The agency encourages applicants to “stay in touch with” energy vendors and not wait for the Semcac assistance.

“We encourage them to apply, but to continue to pay toward their home heating bill and to keep in touch with their energy vendor,” she said. “We have found vendors are willing to work with people who fall behind on their heating bills.”

“Communication is so important in difficult times such as these,” she added.

According to Thompson, there are several programs that help to pay or reduce energy costs for individual households.

The best-known — Energy Assistance Program — provides financial assistance to households to pay heating bills. The Weatherization Assistance Program reduces energy costs for households by making improvements to the home that will reduce energy bills. Only one application is needed to apply for both programs, according to Thompson.

Eligibility for energy assistance is based on income, household size and the amount of energy a dwelling uses. Applications were sent out to last year’s participants by the Minnesota Department of Commerce, and applications can still be made through local providers.

According to Thompson, the Reach Out for Warmth program assists households who do not qualify for either program and meet a higher set of income guidelines.

The Rushford energy assistance office also administers conservation improvement programs (CIPs) in collaboration with utilities and fuel suppliers.

To receive more information, contact Semcac.

“The Energy Assistance Program helps pay home heating costs,” Thompson said, once again emphasizing the word “helps.”

“Households with the lowest incomes and highest energy costs receive the greatest benefit,” she said.

The Austin office is open 9 a.m. to noon and 1-3 p.m. each Wednesday and is located in the lower level at US Bank in downtown Austin.

To receive an application, call Semcac at (800) 944-3281.