Help with Utility Bills in this Summer Heat

***I’m sorry I have been out of pocket for several days. An old back injury has had me under the weather.****

It was announced last week that LIHEAP (Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program) funds were released by the President. This is for any person who meets certain guidelines in order to pay their summer heating bill. The funds are not always released during the summer but this year, they have been. One of the categories is for seniors 60 years old and older or any disabled adult. There are other target markets who are eligible to apply as well. This website: http://www.liheap.org/
is incredible! Go there, click on yours or your loved one’s state and information specific to that state will appear including income guidelines, where to apply, how to apply, and what to bring. It may or may not tell you when – but simply call the number listed in that area and ask when the first day to apply will be. They will tell you. Generally, it is between July 9 and August 1.

This year, in Oklahoma, applications will begin on July 9 at the local OKDHS offices. It is on a first come, first served basis so you must go quickly and early on the first day because they only have so much money.

The money – $150 for one person and $200 for a two-person household, is paid directly to the electric company. If there is less bill than allotment, it will carry over to the next month until the funds are spent. This money is meant to encourage seniors and others to use air conditioning in order to stay healthy!

Go check it out now!!

Part D Penalty

If you or your family member is considering not participating in the

Medicare Part D program during the initial enrollment period, there may be

a penalty upon participation. This penalty is determined as 1% of the

premium, multiplied by the number of calendar months declined from initial

enrollment offering to actual enrollment unless you have other creditable

coverage.

To estimate the penalty, find the national base beneficiary premium

for the year ($30.36 in 2009, $31.94 in 2010) and take 1% of that ($.30 in

2009, $0.32 in 2010). Multiply it by the number of uncovered, full calendar

months (during any continuous period of 63 days or more), since the

end of your initial enrollment period (IEP), during which you did not have

creditable coverage. Take the answer and round it to the nearest 10 cents.

This amount will be added to your plan’s premium amount even if the

plan’s premium is $0. Your penalty will change each year that the national

average premium changes.

For more information, contact your local Social Security office.