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N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – With hot temperatures and high humidity arriving in the state, the North Dakota Department of Human Services and the North Dakota Department of Commerce’s Division of Community Service is reminding North Dakotans that cooling assistance is available for seniors or people with certain medical conditions who qualify for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program is a federally-funded program that primarily helps qualifying households pay for heating needs. This past heating season, the program served around 12,000 households in the state. Last summer, 200 households participated in the cooling assistance program.

Program funds can be used to assist qualifying households to purchase and install an air conditioning unit, repair an air conditioning unit or to purchase oscillating or window fans. Work is completed by a Community Action agency located in the state’s eight largest cities.

To qualify, current energy assistance clients under 60 years of age need a signed statement from a physician, physician assistant, nurse practitioner or public health nurse verifying their medical condition and the need for a cooled living space. They must provide that information to the county social service office. Clients age 60 and over are not required to get documentation of a medical need.

People who are not currently clients of the energy assistance program may also qualify. A three-person household earning up to $44,717 per year may qualify if their assets meet program limits. For information on qualifying incomes, visit www.nd.gov/dhs/services/financialhelp/energyassist.html.

Individuals should contact their county social service office to apply for the program before Sept. 30. Contact information is available at www.nd.gov/dhs/locations/countysocialserv.