Empire announces its low income assistance

Nevada Daily Mail

JOPLIN, Mo. -- Cold weather has arrived and The Empire District Gas Company is working with local community agencies to assist Missouri low-income customers in meeting their energy needs.

Weatherization

Empire has provided $78,500 for weatherization assistance to its Missouri gas residential, low-income customers.

Customers interested in assistance should contact the appropriate agency, below.

To be eligible for this assistance, customers must meet the guidelines established by the community agencies.

In Henry and Vernon counties, contact West Central Missouri Community Action Agency (660) 476-2185

Reconnection fees, deposits

In addition, Empire and all of Missouri's investor-owned electric and natural gas utilities through MEDA, the Missouri Energy Development Association, have agreed to temporarily waive reconnection fees and deposit requirements for any Missouri customer who is qualified and has applied for or is actually receiving benefits through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program during the winter season, which is from Nov. 1, 2006, to March 31, 2007. They have also agreed to restore gas service to Missouri customers who heat their homes with gas with a LIHEAP or UtiliCare pledge to pay past due balances.

In addition, Governor Blunt has announced that he is fully funding Utilicare, a state-run program providing low-income energy assistance.