The North East Community Action Corporation (NECAC) will be making energy assistance program payments to utility companies for qualifying elderly and disabled clients starting Tuesday, Nov. 1, and all others on Thursday, Dec. 1.The program is beginning a month later this year due to changes by the funding source.To help ease the changeover, NECAC previously mailed applications to elderly and disabled clients who received assistance last year. Mailings for everyone else began Oct. 15. Applications were processed, but no payments were made to utilities until Nov. 1.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 (DSS), 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 income, household size and type of heating source. Payments are made directly to utility companies and are never given to clients.Last year, NECAC was contracted by DSS to administer $1.1 million in energy assistance funding for the winter season, which runs through March 31. The agency will receive $1.2 million.For more information, call the NECAC Service Center of Warren County, 120 E. Main, in Warrenton, at 636-456-8191.NECAC