For more information contact:

Joseph Thornton, Media Coordinator/Public Information Specialist
Office of Communications and Legislative Affairs
West Virginia Department of health and Human Resources
Phone: 304-558-7899 Fax: 304-558-7075
Cell: 304-546-7960 e-mail: josephthornton@wvdhhr.org

For immediate release

Utility discount program begins in October

Governor Bob Wise announced today that applications for the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources’ Utility Discount Program will be mailed to eligible households beginning in early October.

This seasonal program offers a 20 percent discount to eligible individuals and households to reduce their home heating costs.

To be eligible for the program, individuals must be a recipient of one of the following programs during any of the months between November 2002 and March 2003:

Supplemental Security Income (SSI),

WV WORKS,

Food stamps and be 60 years of age or older.

The utility company that is accountable for home heating is responsible for determining each individual’s or household’s eligibility for the reduced rate program.

For more information contact the local DHHR office, online at www.wvdhhr.org/ofs or by mail at 350 Capitol Street, Room B-18, Charleston, West Virginia 25301-3705.

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