Warren-Forest Counties Economic Opportunity Council

Our offices will be closed Thanksgiving Day and Friday, November 27th. Thank you!Our offices will be closed Thanksgiving Day and Friday, November 27th. Thank you!

LIHEAP Application will be opening November 2, 2020. Apply online at www.compass.state.pa.us Applications are also available at your local county assistance office. Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program... Important Information about an Energy Assistance Program HSEA 18 9/20 What is LIHEAP? The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps low-income families pay their heating bills. LIHEAP is a grant. You do not have to repay it. To receive help Apply between Nov. 2, 2020 and Apr. 9, 2021. You don’t have to be on public assistance You don’t need to have an unpaid heating bill You can either rent or own your home How does LIHEAP work? LIHEAP offers both cash and crisis grants. Families may apply for: Cash Grants Cash grants help families pay their heating bills. The one-time payment is sent directly to your utility company or fuel provider, and it will be credited on your bill. (In some cases, the check may be mailed to you directly.) Cash grants range from $200-$1000 and are based on household size, income, and fuel type. Crisis Grants Crisis grants may be available if you have an emergency situation and are in jeopardy of losing your heat. You can receive more than one Crisis grant, as necessary, during the season until the maximum benefit of $800 is reached. Crisis situations include: Broken heating equipment or leaking lines that must be fixed or replaced Lack of fuel Termination of utility service Danger of being without fuel (less than a 15 day supply) or of having utility service terminated (received a notice that service will be shut off within the next 60 days) If you have a heating emergency please call your local county assistance office (CAO). How do I apply? Apply online at: www.compass.state.pa.us Request an application by calling the Statewide LIHEAP Hotline at 1-866-857-7095 or call PA Relay at 711 for the hearing impaired. Applications are available at your local CAO To apply, you will need Names of people in your household Dates of birth for all household members Social Security Numbers for all household members Proof of income for all household members A recent heating bill Who is eligible? You may qualify for a LIHEAP grant if your household income meets the following income guidelines: Household Size Maximum Annual Income 1 $ 19,140 2 $ 25,860 3 $ 32,580 4 $ 39,300 5 $ 46,020 6 $ 52,740 7 $ 59,460 8 $ 66,180 9 $ 72,900 10 $ 79,620 After your application is processed, you will receive a written notice that will tell you if you qualify. If eligible, it will tell you the amount of your grant.LIHEAP See more

Mark your calendars for October 27th from 2-5!! First come, first served for the USDA Farmers to Families Food Box program. Please see the flyer below for more details :) The Warren Forest EOC is partnering with the First Lutheran Church to coordinate distribution of food boxes to any interested household in Warren. There is no income requirement but you will be asked to provide your zip code and the number of people in your household!

There is still time to sign up!

Please review the information below about the Economic Stimulus Payment. Contact numbers are provided for you if you think you are eligible or would like to find out more information.

Updated information!!

The Warren Forest Counties Economic Opportunity Council was awarded a Community Services Block Grant Discretionary Grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. The primary focus for the funds was to address immediate needs of Forest and Warren County residents caused by the onset of the COVID19 Pandemic. Speaking with other local providers, caseworkers, and community stakeholders it was quickly discovered that providing access to nutritional ...meals and food was the most pressing need for individuals and families in our communities. In response, the Agency provided the Forest County Commissioners with $7,850 to purchase and distribute food within Forest County. This amount was also provided to the Salvation Army in Warren to purchase and restock the food pantry which had been nearly depleted. Recognizing that the need for nutritional food is and will continue to be an issue, the Agency is now partnering with the Forest Area School District to expand the District’s Community Gardens. Located in Marienville and soon in Tionesta, the Gardens will allow local residents the ability to grow their own food. Hopefully benefiting the Community aesthetically and nutritionally. A Community Garden program is also being planned for Warren County in Spring 2021 with the hope of also including an educational component to help teach participants how to plan, start, care for, harvest, and use fresh fruits and vegetables. Here are some recent photos of the Community Garden in Marienville. Some of the plants were provided by Wellspring Home and Garden, a local non-profit located in Warren done in partnership with the Forest Warren Mental Wellness Association

There are 20 more slots still available for June Produce Express! Pick up next Thursday. Call Amy at 726-2400 x100There are 20 more slots still available for June Produce Express! Pick up next Thursday. Call Amy at 726-2400 x100

The Warren-Forest Counties Economic Opportunity Council (EOC) would like to thank the Women’s Club of Warren for their generous donation of household goods including these beautiful plates. This thoughtful, and much appreciated, donation will be used by the Agency throughout our various homeless and mental health housing programs. Shown above from left to right are Jane Dunshie, Women’s Club of Warren and Robert Raible, Executive Director for the EOC.

PRODUCE EXPRESS!! Sign ups begin MONDAY, JUNE 1st for the June distribution. Call Amy at 726-2400 ext. 100 beginning at 8amPRODUCE EXPRESS!! Sign ups begin MONDAY, JUNE 1st for the June distribution. Call Amy at 726-2400 ext. 100 beginning at 8am

LIHEAP CARES is now available. Find out more information below.

Today is WARREN GIVES!! Please consider a donation to our Agency. Due to the pandemic and shut down we will be looking at ways to help people in our community facing an immediate crisis with your generous donation through items like laundry detergent, personal hygiene, gas cards, and more. Help us to help others! Please share and look for us toward the end of the list under the "W"s :)

Help us help our community with your donation tomorrow during Warren Gives! We will be using funds to purchase items such as personal hygiene products that can help address immediate, smaller needs for people in crisis in our community. Please share and don't forget to donate if you can!

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Breaking news! The IRS has announced that individuals who receive Social security retirement and SSDI who did not file 2019 or 2019 taxes must act by tomorrow, Wednesday, April 22nd at noon, in order to receive additional payments for any eligible children under age 17. Individuals who receive SSI must take action by later this month. A specific deadline is not yet available, but we highly encourage SSI recipients to take action NOW. Both groups of individuals should fill... out the IRS' Non-filers tool to complete this action. More information about who is eligible for stimulus payments can be found at Community Legal Services' website. PLEASE SHARE.