North Georgia Community Action is reminding residents that the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP, opens tomorrow, December 1st, for homebound and elderly households. The program, administered through the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services, provides financial help with winter heating bills — but funding is limited, and applications are handled strictly on a first-come, first-served basis.

Homebound households are defined as those where every member is confined to the home due to medical conditions or disabilities. Elderly households include those where all members are 65 or older, or where one member is 65 or older and the remaining members are minors. Applicants must have proof of income, citizenship, Social Security numbers, and a current heating or electric bill. Elderly households must also provide proof of age.

Assistance comes in the form of a one-time payment made directly to the household’s energy provider. Because funding is limited and demand is high each year, residents are urged to call as soon as the phone lines open tomorrow morning at 8:30 a.m.

For Chattooga County residents, the number to call is 706-857-0729. Officials stress that callers must keep trying until they reach someone — voicemails will not be returned, and missing the initial call surge could mean missing out on assistance entirely.

Residents are encouraged to prepare documents ahead of time and be ready to call early.