By Sonny DiSabato, Senior Citizen Coordinator

Hello fellow seniors. Hoping all is well.

You may be eligible for some help keeping your home warm during the winter, thanks to several government-sponsored programs.

The Home Energy Assistance Program is a federally funded program, providing one-time aid to low income households for their heating costs. Even if these costs are included as part of an individual’s rent, they may still be eligible to receive aid. Applications are accepted now through April 1. Benefit eligibility is dependent upon income guidelines and whether or not you’re responsible for paying for their heat. The Home Energy Assistance Program is administered by the department of Community Affairs.

Created by New Jersey’s Board of Public Utilities, the Universal Service Fund helps low-income households pay for their electric and natural gas bills. To qualify, a household must be income eligible based on program guidelines and spend more than three percent of household income on gas and/or electricity.

The Lifeline Utility Assistance Program helps eligible low-income senior citizens and the disabled with their electric and natural gas costs. Homeowners and renters can apply for Lifeline by filling out the Pharmaceutical Assistance for the Aged and Disabled (PAAD) application.

The Temporary Relief For Utility Expenses (TRUE) program was designed to help low to moderate income households to pay their natural gas and electric bills. This program provides benefits only to income eligible households who have not received assistance through the Universal Service Fund or the Home Energy Assistance Program in the past 12 months, have a notice of overdue payment for gas or electric service, and have a good payment history on their utility bills.

The Weatherization Assistance Program helps elderly, handicapped and low-income persons to weatherize their homes, improving their heating system efficiency and conserving energy. Eligible recipients will receive both an energy audit and installation of the recommended energy efficiency measures at no cost. The program is available year round to New Jersey residents.

For more information on these and other programs that benefit seniors and the disabled, visit Camden County O.E.O. at 5287 Rt. 70, Pennsauken. Office hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Residents can also call the office at (856) 910-1180.

Wishing you good health and happiness in the New Year. Please say a prayer for our military to come home safe and soon.