Georgia Can Help Pay AC Bill During Coronavirus Shut-In

GEORGIA — Concerned about losing your cool while cooped up without air conditioning during the coronavirus shelter-in-place? The Georgia Department of Human Services can help, with a federally funded program that could contribute up to $400 toward paying your energy bill.

Beginning in April, low-income, elderly and disabled Georgians can apply to their local community action agency for the assistance, according to an announcement posted Tuesday on the department’s website.

To qualify, a family’s annual income must be no more than 60 percent of the median income for a Georgia family. For a household of one, the income threshold is $23,776. The income threshold for a household of five is $53,040.

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Applicants must be able to show

• Their most recent heating and cooling bills.
• Social Security cards for every household member.
• Proof of citizenship.
• Proof of income for the last 30 days for each adult in the household. Proof can be a paycheck stub or public-assistance verification letter.
• Verification of Social Security or unemployment benefits for all household members.

Those needing assistance should contact their local community action agency to find out how best to apply. You can find the Georgia community action agency closest to you on this website. All agency offices currently are closed, but employees are checking voicemail throughout each day and will answer messages as soon as possible.

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