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Pocono News Section
Long Line of People Waiting for Heating Help
Long Line of People Waiting for Heating Help - Monday, November 3, 2008 at 10:51AM EST
Reported by: David DeCosmo
Monday, Nov 3, 2008 @ 10:51am EST
SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY- There was a long line of people waiting when Lackawanna County's Human Development Agency opened its doors Monday morning. They came to apply for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance, or 'LIHEAP' program.
LIHEAP directs federal dollars to eligible families to help them pay their winter heating bills. Eligibility is based on the size of a family and its annual income.
Jim Coffey of Taylor was the first in line. He waited three and one half hours for the office to open. Coffey said, "I have no oil. No heat at all and hopefully I can get this heating assistance because my house is cold."
Agency Director Fred Lettieri said he believes there will be more demand this year than in any other year since the program was started. Lettieri said the allotment for families this year is $800.
Applications for assistance will be accepted until the state notifies the agency that all the available funding has been used.
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