The not-for-profit North East Community Action Corporation (NECAC) is urging qualified applicants to sign up for summer energy assistance.The summer portion of the Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP) began June 1 and in just about a month half of funding has been allocated. The program will continue until this year’s $382,130 of assistance runs out or the program ends Sept. 30.ECIP pays overdue electricity bills of up to $300 for income-qualifying households. It 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 NECAC to administer the program in Lewis, Lincoln, Macon, Marion, Monroe, Montgomery, Pike, Ralls, Randolph, St. Charles, Shelby and Warren counties. NECAC’s $382,130 allocation is down slightly from $397,743 last year.“Participants must have received a utility shut-off notice for electric service,” said NECAC Supervisor Angela Kattenbraker. “If they received assistance from the winter portion of the program through NECAC and did not move, all that will be needed is the shut-off notice. Those who are new to the program, have moved and those who did not participate in the winter portion must fill out additional paperwork.”In 2017, assistance was provided to 2,033 households in 12 counties, up from 1,443 in summer 2016.People may sign up or request more information by calling Service Coordinator Desiree Antoniou at 636-456-8191 or the Warren County NECAC Service Center, 120 E. Main St. in Warrenton.NECAC