A local program that helps Richmond County residents with heating and cooling expenses received additional federal funding this month.

The Richmond County Department of Social Services received an additional $76,717 for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP),for a total allocation to $357,479 for the 2009 fiscal year.

Public Law 110-329, enacted last September, included a provision that raises from 60 to 75 percent state median income in establishing LIHEAP federal income maximum for 2009.

“It plays a role in helping Richmond County folks get through the winter,” said County Manager Jim Haynes.

The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning that called for significant snowfall in the mountains from Tuesday into Wednesday.

The forecast said northeastern counties of Watauga and Ashe could get more than 6 inches of snow with 10 inches on western slopes.

Forecasters also issued winter storm warnings or advisories for nearly two dozen counties in central North Carolina, from the Virginia border south to Sanford and Goldsboro. But the weather service said the track and power of the storm was uncertain and no good estimate was available of precipitation, beyond saying an inch or two was possible.

According to Barrett Hollimon, Income Maintenance Administrator for the Richmond County Department of Social Services, the funds go to good use in Richmond County.

“It has gotten cold, and we have seen those kind of situations. We get applications for Low Income Energy Assistance every day, and have helped a great number of people this year. It’s a very beneficial program to the county.”

According to Hollimon, program qualification is income-based, and provides assistance for households that include a disabled person, a child age 12 or younger, or a senior age 60 or older. These households must be facing a utility disconnection. Applicants who do not met those guidelines must provide a doctor’s note.

“We target those groups because they are more susceptible, especially in the winter months.”

Hollimon added that the program will work with qualified individuals regardless of how they heat their homes - electricity, gas, wood or kerosene.

Tammy Schrenker, Director of Richmond County Social Services emphasized that the program applies to emergency situations only.

“It has to be an emergency situation. What we have to explain to people is that this is not just paying your light bill. It pays for heating and cooling in high-risk households in life-threatening temperatures. Also, we cannot pre-pay a bill that is due at the end of the month. They have to have a past due or shut-off notice.”

To inquire about the program call 997-8400