Many St. Mary Parish families were forced to use their utility bill money to evacuate for hurricanes Gustav and Ike, according to a local nonprofit agency.

To help with the financial burden, the St. Mary Community Action Agency is offering money for utilities to residents who qualify through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, said Almetra Franklin, the agency’s director.

“Our agency was aware that utility assistance would be a priority post hurricanes Gustav and Ike for the low-income population we serve,” Franklin said. “They are in jeopardy of losing their utility services.”

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The four-day campaign to first target senior citizens and disabled residents ends today, but all other eligible residents may apply beginning Thursday. Clients may start calling immediately to schedule appointments, Franklin said.

According to the LIHEAP Web site, www.liheapwa.org, LIHEAP is a federally funded grant that provides money to help low-income households in making home heating more affordable and to “maintain a warm, safe and healthy environment for households with young children, the elderly and the disabled.”

The act requires that the most assistance be offered to the lowest income households using the highest amounts of energy and takes family size into account.

Seniors and disabled residents who were not able to apply during the campaign are still able to apply as long as utility money is available. Utility funds will be given on a first come, first served basis, and money will be distributed only through appointments.

To qualify, income cannot exceed $1,564 per month for a household with one person, $2,045 for two people, $2,527 for three people, $3,008 for four people and $3,489 for five people.

Seniors must be at least 70 years old, and all clients must bring photo identification, a current utility bill, a hotel bill or statement proving evacuation and proof of income, according to the group.

“We would like to target clients who have not received (utility) services in the last 12 months,” she said.

For more information, call 828-5703.