At its November 13, meeting the Board of County Commissioners approved a contract with Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida, Inc., for the Emergency Home Energy Assistance Program (EHEAP). The EHEAP assists low income households, with at least one person age 60 and older, that are experiencing a home energy emergency. A home energy emergency may result from a delinquent utility bill, lack of fuel or wood, or the receipt of a shut off notice. Payments are for home heating or cooling and other emergency energy-related costs during the heating (October-March) and cooling (April-September) seasons. Eligible households may be provided one benefit of up to $600.00 per season. Collier County’s Community and Human Services Division (CHS) will partner with Florida Power & Light Company and Lee County Electric Cooperative and payments will be made directly to the vendor for electricity, natural gas, propane, fuel oil, kerosene, or wood. To be eligible for assistance, households must have: • a documented heating or cooling emergency, • at least one individual age 60 or older in the home, and • a gross household annual income equal to or less than 150 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. To apply for the EHEAP benefit, applicants must have a pre-scheduled appointment. Appointments are available on Thursday mornings at the CHS office, 3339 East Tamiami Trail, Health and Public Services Building H, Room 211, Naples, Florida 34112; and Tuesday mornings at the Collier County Library, 417 North First Street, Immokalee, Florida 34142. For more information about the EHEAP and additional services offered by CHS, please call (239) 252-2273.