BELFAST — WCAP's fuel assistance program is still accepting applications for the 2014-15 home heating season. The benefit can be used for the primary heating source; LP, pellets, wood, electric, oil, or kerosene.

Waldo Community Action Partners' Low-Income Heating Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federally funded program to help eligible low-income households pay a portion of their home energy or heating bills.

Fuel assistance benefits can only be used for fuel delivered to heat to homes.

LIHEAP will pay directly to the homeowner’s contracted vendor. Residents determined eligible since August 15, 2014 are not eligible to reapply this heating season.

Residents denied LIHEAP benefits this year but the financial situation has changed, may reapply.

For more information or to schedule and appointment to apply, call 338-3025 or stop by the WCAP fuel assistance office located in the Belfast Center at 9 Field Street, Suite 203, in Belfast.

Also remember to be safe this home heating season. Below is a list of important safety tips that any household heating their home during the cold Maine winter should know:

·Before purchasing a space heater, be sure it has vents and a tip switch. Never plug a space heater into an extension cord. The cord will overheat or melt. Always plug directly into a wall outlet.

·Maintain a safe space of three 3 feet around all heaters and woodstoves. Keep children away.

·Turn all space heaters off when leaving a room, the home, or going to sleep.

·Always use the fuel specified by the manufacturer in fuel powered heaters.

·Be sure the fireplace/woodstove has a screen to stop sparks from getting out.

·Have the chimney cleaned and inspected by a professional yearly.

·Never refill a fuel powered heater while it is turned on or still hot. Never refill indoors.

·Never use an oven or stovetop to heat the home. Toxic fumes are omitted that can't be seen by the naked eye and could cause death.

·Charcoal bricks and grills (including propane BBQ grills) should never be used indoors.

·Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors monthly and change batteries yearly.

Waldo Community Action Partners is a charitable, educational, private nonprofit organization located in Belfast. It is designed to utilize and mobilize public and private resources to assist low-income Waldo County residents in the alleviation of poverty and address its underlying causes.

WCAP's mission is to create opportunities for people to improve their quality of life. For more information, visit www.waldocap.org or call 338-6809.