Community Action Services is now accepting applications for the State Home Energy Assistance Target Program for Utah, Wasatch and Summit counties, which helps low-income households and the disabled make utility payments through the winter season.

The annual program opened on Nov. 1 and will continue through April 30. Families with income below 150 percent of the poverty line -- an increase from last year's requirement of 125 percent -- who provide required documentation may be eligible, Community Action operations and finance manager LeeAnne Stanley said.

When figuring a family's income, child support and alimony payments will be deducted, and earned income will be calculated at a 20 percent decrease, Stanley said. This means one of every five dollars of earned wages will not be factored into a family's income for HEAT's application purposes.

A 20-to 30-minute energy conservation education class is required for first-time applicants. Classes are scheduled for Monday through Thursday at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. and will include a video, a discussion on budgeting and handouts on conserving energy and saving money, Stanley said. Classes are taught at the food bank location at 815 S. Freedom Blvd. in Provo. Seniors, people with disabilities and those who have previously taken the class are not required to take it, Stanley said.

Last year HEAT helped more than 4,000 households with once-a-year payments that could be used on heating and electric bills. Stanley said that it is likely the organization will help even more families this year.

To set an appointment with HEAT, call 373-8200. Further information is available by calling that number or visiting Community Action's Web site, www.communityactionuc.org. For help with weatherization to reduce utility bills, visit the Weatherization Assistance Program at http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/weatherization.

Infobox:

According to the Community Action Web site, these items must be brought to appointments for the HEAT program:

• Social Security cards for everyone in the house 18 years of age or older

• Picture ID for applicant

• Residency cards for non-citizens

• Proof of all money received during the previous calendar month regardless of the source, including print-outs from temporary agencies. Those who are self-employed must bring a copy of the previous year's tax return or a ledger.

• Proof of child support received or paid during the previous month

• Proof of medical payments (receipts) made during the previous month

• A copy of the most recent gas and electric bills from one's current residence or a Fuel Consumption History obtained from each of the resident's energy suppliers

• Proof of age of anyone 60 or older (state ID or drivers license) or anyone 5 years of age or younger (birth certificate)

• Proof of permanent disability -- disability must be 6 months or longer.

• The disabled, elderly and those who applied previously for the HEAT program will not need to take the energy conservation class.

Other utility-assistance Programs:

• UTAP is a program to assist eligible households with their monthly basic landline telephone service. Currently cell phones are not eligible. According to the Web site of the Utah Division of Housing & Community Development, residents can apply for UTAP when they apply for HEAT, or they can ask their telephone company to send an application. See http://housing.utah.gov/seal/utap.html for more information.

• Link-Up provides eligible households that do not currently have a landline telephone with a discount for the initial cost of installing service. For information regarding Link-Up, call the Public Service Commission of Utah at (801) 530-6716.

• HELP: The Home Electric Lifeline Program is for qualified Utah Power customers. This program is funded through a minimal surcharge on Utah Power customers' monthly bill, and provides a monthly discount on HEAT-eligible customers' Utah Power bills. Information is available at http://housing.utah.gov/seal/index.html.