Governor issues $39 million in energy grants for low-income families

MONTGOMERY — Grants totaling $39.3 million awarded by Gov. Robert Bentley will assist low-income families in Alabama with home energy bills.

The grants will enable 22 community action agencies throughout the state to provide temporary assistance with electric and gas bills. Priority for assistance is given to the elderly, people with disabilities and families with young children.

“Paying for high home heating bills during the winter can be a significant challenge for low-income families or elderly residents living on extremely limited budgets,” Bentley said. “This funding is intended to assist those with the greatest need.”

Residents seeking assistance must apply through their local community action agencies. Eligibility is based on income, family size and available resources. If applications are approved, payments are made directly to the utility companies on behalf of residents.

The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grants as part of the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. The funding was made available to the state by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The community action agencies, counties served and grant amounts are listed below.

Community Action Partnership of Huntsville/Madison and Limestone Counties Inc. (Madison and Limestone) – $2,358,610. Phone: 256-851-9800

Community Service Programs of West Alabama Inc. (Bibb, Choctaw, Fayette, Greene, Lamar, Tuscaloosa, Sumter) – $3,331,190. Phone: 205-752-5429

Walker County Community Action Agency Inc. (Walker) – $641,320. Phone: 205-221-4010

Pickens County Community Action Committee and Community Development Corp. Inc. (Pickens) – $292,648. Phone: 205-367-8166

Organized Community Action Program Inc. (Bullock, Butler, Covington, Crenshaw, Dale, Lowndes, Pike) – $2,331,889. Phone: 334-566-1712

Community Action Agency of Northwest Alabama Inc. (Colbert, Franklin, Lauderdale) – $1,149,014. Phone: 256-766-4330

Community Action Agency of Northeast Alabama Inc. (Blount, Cherokee, DeKalb, Jackson, Marshall, St. Clair) – $3,104,685. Phone: 256-638-4430

Community Action Partnership of North Alabama Inc. (Cullman, Lawrence, Morgan) – $1,799,536. Phone: 256-355-7843

Montgomery Community Action Agency (Montgomery) – $2,128,337. Phone: 334-263-3474

Mobile Community Action Inc. (Mobile, Washington) – $3,911,329. Phone: 251-457-5700

Marion-Winston Counties Community Action Committee Inc. (Marion, Winston) – $588,062. Phone: 205-921-4224

Macon-Russell Community Action Agency Inc. (Macon, Russell) – $858,631. Phone: 334-727-6100

Jefferson County Committee for Economic Opportunity (Jefferson) – $4,192,094. Phone: 205-327-7500

Human Resource Development Corp. (Barbour, Coffee, Geneva, Henry, Houston) – $1,900,283. Phone: 334-347-0881

Hale Empowerment and Revitalization Organization Inc. (Hale) – $361,343. Phone: 334-624-0842

Community Action of Etowah County Inc. (Etowah) – $894,701. Phone: 256-546-9271

Elmore/Autauga Community Action Committee Inc. (Autauga, Dallas, Elmore, Perry) – $1,746,532. Phone: 334-567-4361

Eleventh Area of Alabama Opportunity Action Committee Inc. (Chilton, Shelby) – $968,856. Phone: 205-755-1204

Community Action Committee Inc. of Chambers-Tallapoosa-Coosa (Chambers, Tallapoosa, Coosa) – $863,929. Phone: 256-825-4287