In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal office of Health and Human Services (HHS) has released energy assistance funding for income-qualified households. A total of $575,000 has been made available for Lane County residents.
This funding, known as LP20 CARES, is intended to assist households that have been impacted by COVID19, either financially or due to health. This funding is separate from the pre-existing Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and households that have already received LIHEAP funding between October 1, 2019 and the present are encouraged to apply for LP20 CARES.
The program provides qualifying households with a one-time payment toward their energy bill. It may be applied to electricity, natural gas, home heating oil, propane, wood pellets and wood.
The LP20 CARES program will open in Lane County at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, June 8.
To qualify for LP20 CARES, a household’s current gross monthly income must be at or below 60 percent of Oregon’s median income. A household of one person can have a gross monthly income as high as $2,165. A household of four can have a gross monthly income of $4,163.
The amount of assistance a household receives depends on a number of factors. The program pays the assistance directly into a household’s utility account as a one-time payment that ranges from $250-$550. Interested households may call one of the agencies listed below to be placed on a LP20 CARES waiting list.
Households may place themselves on the waiting list for funding by contacting a partner agency below, or visiting www.lanecounty.org/LIHEAPCares, starting at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, June 8.
Households that do have a senior citizen (60 and over), contact:
Campbell Community Center in Eugene 541-682-5354
Cottage Grove Senior Connections 541-682-7810
Florence Senior Connections 541-902-9430, ext. 7835
Junction City Senior Connections 541-998-8445
Oakridge Senior Connections 541-782-4726
Veneta Senior Connections 541-682-7806
Springfield seniors may apply at:
Campbell Center in Eugene 541-682-5354
Catholic Community Services in Springfield 541-935-2262
Households that don’t have a senior citizen, contact:
Catholic Community Services in Eugene 541-345-3642
Catholic Community Services in Springfield 541-747-8349
Community Sharing in Cottage Grove 541-942-6492
Siuslaw Outreach Services in Florence 541-997-2816
Lane County Energy Oakridge 541-682-3314
There are additional energy assistance programs available in Lane County specific to utility companies. Customers can call their utility company for information regarding these programs.
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