Anyone know anything about LIHEAP? Furnace died Friday...

[grannylib]

and in this weather, it kinda sucks having no central heat...and I'm flat broke after the bill to have someone come out and try to fix it (no luck) and spending $200 on a big-ass kerosene heater and enough fuel for a few days...
any ideas, anyone???
Thanks in advance!!

[Lydia Leftcoast]

1. No, I don't, but try your local social service agencies

They tend to know these things.

What a horrible time to lose your heat. :-(

[wellstone dem]

2. Contact your local County Action Program (CAP) agency

and your local county Social Services.

Many CAP programs have Weatherization programs which help with repairs to furnaces, etc. If that doesn't work, check with the county to see if they have Emergency Assistance or Emergency General Assistance funds which might cover this expense. You do not need to be on welfare to qualify for these programs.

While you are at it, if you don't have health insurance, check with the county about MinnesotaCare. I

If you get turned down for any of these programs, call Legal Aid.

If none of the above works, PM me and I'll give it more thought.

[grannylib]

3. Thanks so much for the advice! I am going to call the local action

council and the County in the morning (nobody in the office today, naturally) and see about those things. I do have health insurance, thanks...although the rise in costs this year ate up my "raise" by a factor of 3 to 1...

I'll see how it goes and will follow your advice to call Legal Aid if I get turned down...thanks again!

[loveable liberal]

4. spent 10 years with NSP...

contact your local utility and request a "cold weather protection packet" and fill that out. as long as you follow the guidelines your heat cannot be disconnected until April 15th. Plus when I was working there there are plenty of programs through churches, salavation army and energy assistance agencies that can help you out with a variety of grants. It is a myth that heat sources cannot be disconnected in winter; heat sources can be disconnected if people do not follow procedures. Many companies fear the bad press if someone gets hurt due to the cold, but I guarantee they chomp at the bit to start shutting off service after 4/15.