KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Mid America Assistance Coalition provides social services in the Kansas City area.
Now, in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, its working to spread the word about the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.
John Rich, executive director of MAAC, told 41 Action News that the organization has more than $6 million to cover utility bills for approved families in Jackson, Clay or Platte counties.
"It's new territory for them, having to provide this information," Glory Wheeler, the program program, said. "But as long as they're proactive about it and apply now so we can start that process, it'll give us time to try to collect the information we need to get them approved."
Here are the requirements:
- You must be responsible for paying home heating and cooling costs
- You must be a U.S. citizen or legally admitted for permanent residence
- You must have $3,000 or less in your bank account, retirement accounts or investments
- You must have a household income less than 135% of the federal poverty level
Shelly Stroessner, MAAC's director of programs, said the thing she hears in people's voice most is "panic. It's overwhelming for people, because this is just one added concern on top of many fears they have."
The good news is that approved families could see a credit in their bank account within a week.