Big Sandy Area Community Action Program announced Thursday that it will accept walk-ins for the Crisis component of the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) beginning Jan. 9.

Applications will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis until March 31 or until funds are exhausted.

The LIHEAP Crisis component assists low-income households experiencing heating emergencies.

The household must have a disconnect notice or be within four days of running out of bulk fuel to be considered as being in an emergency situation.

Big Sandy Area Community Action Program serves Martin, Floyd, Johnson, Magoffin and Pike counties. The Martin County office is located in the Collier Center at 387 E. Main Street, Suite 203, Inez.

If you live in another county, you can access the program by finding the Community Action Agency in your area at capky.org.

Households are considered to be in a home heating crisis if:

• the household is within four days of running out of fuel if bulk fuel (coal, fuel oil, propane, kerosene, or wood) is the primary heating source; or

• the household has received a disconnect notice if natural gas or electricity is the heating source; or

• the household’s home heating costs are included in the rent and the household has received an eviction notice for non-payment of rent.

To be eligible for Crisis assistance, households must verify their address, verify a heating crisis exists and meet federal income eligibility guidelines. Applicants must apply in their county of residence.

In addition, applicants must provide the following:

• Proof of household income for the prior month;

• Birthdates for all household members;

• Social Security card or official documentation with Social Security numbers for each household member.

Applicants must walk in to be served. Information about LIHEAP can be found on the Big Sandy Area Community Action Program’s webpage (bsacap.org) or by calling 606-789-3641.

Applications will be taken during business hours from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

LIHEAP, a national energy assistance initiative funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is funded in Kentucky by the state Cabinet for Health and Family Services and Community Action Kentucky.