Our office gets information about various programs the city runs to help residents in need. I want to share updated details on two such programs for anyone needing help managing through these tough economic times.

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program
Also know as "LIHEAP". The low-income home energy assistance program (LIHEAP) opens on November 17 for regular applications. But emergency assistance is still available, on a case-by-case basis. Contact the District Department on Energy and the Environment (DDOE) Energy Hotline for details (202-673-6750).

Outreach Energy Coordinators are visiting senior buildings throughout DC to collect energy assistance applications in advance of the heating season. Contact program manager Nickie McKenzie (202-462-6401) to make sure your facility is on the list.  Energy Coordinators begin their weekly office hours at local health clinics:

- Developing Families - Tracey Turner, Mondays, noon to 3 pm at (801 17th Street, NE)
- Max Robinson Foundation - Nathaniel Murrell, Tuesdays, 2 to 4 pm at (2301 Martin Luther King, Jr., Ave, SE)
- Bread for the City -Belinda Pearson, Wednesdays, 9:30 am to noon at (1525 7th Street, NW)
- Upper Cardozo Health Center - Jenny Mendez, Wednesdays, 2 to 4 pm at (3020 14th Street, NW)

DC REACH and Energy Assistance in the District of Columbia 
The District Department of the Environment offers programs that protect you by lowering home energy bills and putting dollars into your client’s pockets, including:

- Energy assistance (see LIHEAP above)
- Discounts on water, gas, electric and basic telephone service
- Home energy audit and weatherization
- Free Energy Star appliance replacement (the Reliable Energy Trust Fund)

DC REACH is a pilot project to make sure that all low-income residents, especially those who are homebound or living with multiple health challenges, know about energy assistance and apply to participate. DC REACH offers

- Quick intake, by appointment, at a client’s home or DC REACH field site
- Holistic counseling about budgeting, housing, and referrals for food, clothing, job training, childcare, - health and community resources to help pay utility bills
- Education about energy efficiency, and health and safety

Residents who have received a disconnection notice for electric or gas service, or is currently disconnected, emergency assistance is available on a walk-in basis; contact the DC Energy Hotline for more information (202-673-6750). Any DC residents who meet federal income guidelines are eligible for assistance:

- Household Size 1 - Yearly Income No More Than $22,330
- Household Size 2 - Yearly Income No More Than $29,201
- Household Size 3 - Yearly Income No More Than $36,072
- Household Size 4 - Yearly Income No More Than $42,943
- Household Size 5 - Yearly Income No More Than $49,814

To apply for or Make a Referral you can Call the DC REACH Program Manager at the United Planning Organization at 202-462-6401 or 202-439-3678, Ms. Nickie McKenzie for English or Ms. Jenny Mendez for Spanish.  You may also call the DC REACH Energy Coordinator for your Ward:

- Wards 1, 2, and 3 - Jennie Mendez, 202-462-6401, cell 202-365-1869
- Wards 4, 5 & 6 - Belinda Pearson, 202-610-5900; cell 202-439-3657
- Ward 7 - Tracey Turner, 202-396-1201 x140; cell 202-409-2348
- Ward 8 - Nathaniel Murrell, 202-562-3800; cell 202-330-7495

Call the District Department of the Environment’s Energy Hotline (202-673-6750) to check the status of your application.