Ninth District Opportunity offering Cooling Assistance

Eligible households can now begin scheduling appointments for cooling help through the Ninth District Opportunity. The application period for Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Cooling Assistance, administered by the Georgia Department of Human Services’ (DHS) Division of Family & Children Services opened on April 1 to Georgians aged 65 years of age and older or those who are medically homebound. All other eligible residents can apply starting May 1. The assistance will be available through July 31 or until funds are exhausted. This federally funded program assists low-income, elderly, and disabled Georgians with cooling bills through direct payments to home energy suppliers. Funds are administered through local Community Action Agencies, or CAAs, on a first-come, first-served basis until all funds are exhausted. To qualify, a family’s income must be less than or equal to 60 percent of the median income for a Georgia family. For a household of one, the income threshold is $29,713; the income threshold for a household of five is $66,284. Georgians seeking assistance must contact their local CAA. The CCA for Stephens County, along with surrounding counties, is Ninth District Opportunity, Inc. Locally, the contact for Ninth District Opportunity, at 161 Queen Street, is Community Resource Coordinator Paula Duley, who can be reached at 706-886-0211 or [email protected]. 

• Most recent cooling bill or statement of service from their heating providers.
  • Social Security numbers for each member of the household.
  • Proof of citizenship for each member of the household.
  • Proof of income for the last 30 days for each adult member of the household (e.g., paycheck stub or a public assistance verification letter).
  • Verification of Social Security or unemployment benefits for all applicable household members.