The 12-county area not-for-profit North East Community Action Corporation (NECAC) will begin the winter home energy assistance programs Oct. 1 for low-income qualifying elderly and disabled residents and Nov. 1 for families and individuals.Elderly and disabled people who received assistance last year should have received a pre-application by mail from the state with sign-up dates. All others will receive a mailing in late October or may apply starting Oct. 1 if a household member is elderly or disabled or Nov. 1 for all other households at NECAC County Service Centers. The agency has already processed more than 1,900 pre-applications since Sept. 14.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 $1,506,750 in energy assistance funding for this winter season. Last year, the agency was awarded $1,258,842, received 9,614 applications for energy assistance and assisted 4,590 households with ECIP. LIHEAP runs through March 31 and ECIP through May 31.Sign up starts Oct. 1 or Nov. 1, for information, call 636-456-8191 or visit the Service Center at 120 E. Main in Warrenton.NECAC