WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — The Luzerne County Council unanimously voted to expand income eligibility requirements for a newly developed heating and utility assistance program.
The program is distributed through the Commission on Economic Opportunity.
They say the expansion of income eligibility will be a big help to those in need.
The American Rescue Plan Utility and Heating Assistance Program is for households that would not qualify otherwise for heating and utility assistance.
"It's a one-time grant of $290 to the heating and or utility vendor, that the applicant selects," said Jennifer Warabak the executive director of CEO.
The program started in December of 2023. It's received around 2,000 applications, with nearly 1,300 approvals.
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Now, thanks to a council vote more people can reap the much-needed benefits.
"So the need was great in particular for the income eligibility area that we requested the expansion on," added Warabak.
Warabak says ceo offers other utility programs, but they each have specific eligibility requirements.
"So it was possible that an applicant may not have qualified for those either, so allowing the expansion of this particular program, would now make them eligible," continued Warabak.
CEO says there's a great need in the area for the program.
"The need for any type of assistance right now is high. costs are high across the board, whether it's rent or food or just general everyday living expenses so to supplement households in some way to help meet that need is important for us," stated Warabak.
For more on how to apply and what the eligibility requirements are visit the Commission on Economic Opportunity website.
