The 12-county area not-for-profit North East Community Action Corporation (NECAC) is accepting applications for winter home energy assistance programs income-qualifying families and individuals.Applications also are still being taken from elderly and disabled people.The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and is distributed through the Missouri Department of Social Services, which then contracts with nonprofit groups such as NECAC to administer the program at the local level. The program assists with paying part of the energy bills of income-qualifying people. Eligible households could receive a minimum of $45 up to a maximum of $450, depending upon the income, household size and type of heating source.People who receive a utility shut-off notice also may qualify for assistance through the Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP) starting Oct. 1. Each energy assistance qualifying household can get up to $800 to help prevent disconnection of their utilities.NECAC has received $1,175,265 in energy assistance funding for this winter season. Last year, the agency was awarded $1,258,842, received 9,614 applications for energy assitance and assisted 4,590 households with ECIP. LIHEAP runs through March 31 and ECIP through May 31.People may sign up or request more information by calling or visiting the following NECAC County Service Centers:Lincoln County Service Coordinator Janice Allan, 11 Woodcrest Drive in Troy, 636-528-7604.St. Charles County Service Coordinator Rhonda Orlando, 3400 Meadow Pointe Drive in O’Fallon, 636-272-3477.Warren County Service Coordinator Casey Burton, 120 E. Main in Warrenton, 636-456-8191.NECAC