NECAC has a remedy for rising utility costs.

The agency is taking applications from the elderly, disabled, families and individuals for the federally-funded Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program and the Energy Crisis Intervention Program in 12 Missouri counties.

“Apply if you think you’ll need assistance,” said NECAC’s Angela Kattenbraker. “The cost of utilities is going up. We can help a lot of people with any fueling type.”

NECAC assisted about 7,300 households with utility assistance last year, and expects the number to increase this winter due to inflation and escalating costs.

LIHEAP offers a one-time payment to income-qualifying households depending upon the type of utility they use. The maximum benefit for tank propane-heated homes is $495. It’s $326 for natural gas and fuel oil, $318 for electricity, $219 for wood, $153 for kerosene and $177 for cylinder propane.

ECIP may be used by income-qualifying households through May 31, with a maximum of up to $800 from Nov. 1 to May 31 and $300 from June 1 to Sept. 30. Applicants must have received a shut-off notice.

Applications are being accepted online or in person at NECAC service centers. The monthly income limit for a one-person household is $2,942 For a four-person residence, it’s $5,657.

Additional income limits for other family sizes are available upon request.

The program is funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and is distributed through the Missouri Department of Social Services, which then contracts with NECAC and other Community Action Agencies in Missouri to administer the service. Payments are sent directly to utility companies.

More information is available at www.necac.org, by calling 573-324-0120 or by contacting one of the following NECAC service centers:

• Lewis County: 408 S. Fourth in Canton -- 573-288-3969.

• Lincoln County: 11 Woodcrest Dr. in Troy -- 636-528-7604.

• Macon County: 907 Highway PP in Macon -- 660-385-4616.

• Marion County: 3518 Palmyra Road in Hannibal -- 573-221-7166.

• Monroe County: 314 N. Washington in Paris -- 660-327-4110.

• Montgomery County: 137 Farnen in Montgomery City -- 573-564-3606.

• Pike County: 805 Bus. Hwy. 61 North in Bowling Green -- 573-324-2207.

• Ralls County: 411 Main in New London -- 573-985-2411.

• Randolph County: 1903 N. Morley Suite B in Moberly -- 660-263-6595.

• Shelby County: 204 E. Third in Shelbyville -- 573-633-2210.

• St. Charles County: 3400 Meadow Pointe Drive in O’Fallon -- 636-272-3477

• Warren County: 120 E. Main in Warrenton -- 636-456-8191.