Residents can receive help with winter bills

The Erie County Home Energy Assistance application specialists will be offering their services to the 14th district, represented by Legislator Thomas Loughran.

The Outreach Team will begin at 8:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 22 at the Harlem Road Community Center, 4255 Harlem Road, Amherst.

Eighty applications will be able to be processed from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Citizens are seen in the order they are signed up. Appointments take approximately 20 minutes.

All necessary documents must be with the applicant:

+ One form of identification for each member in the household - birth certificate, social security card or license is acceptable.

+ A utility bill.

+ Proof of monthly income for all household members received in the last 30 days. Pay stubs, social security or pension award letters are acceptable.

+ Current checking and savings account bank statements.

+ Proof of other resources such as stocks, bonds, IRAs and 401ks are necessary.

+ All shut-off or disconnect notices.

The Home Energy Assistance Program is a federal grant program offered in the Northeast to help low-income families meet winter energy costs. For more information, call 858-7870.