SALISBURY — Starting Monday, households in Rowan County with someone 60 or older or someone who receives disability benefits and services through the N.C. Division of Aging and Adult Services can apply for help covering the cost of home heating.

All other households can apply from Jan. 1 through March 31.

The federally funded Low-Income Energy Assistance Program provides eligible households with a one-time payment to their heating vendors to offset the cost of heating during the cold-weather months. Depending on the household’s primary heating source, the payment will be $300, $400 or $500.

To be eligible, a person must: 

• Have at least one U.S. citizen or noncitizen who meets eligibility criteria.

• Have income equal to or less than 130 percent of the federal poverty limit.  

• Have resources, such as saving and checking accounts, cash on hand, at or below $2,250. 

• Be responsible for their heating costs.

Rowan County households that want to apply for energy assistance can do so at the Rowan County Department of Social Services office, 1813 E. Innes St.

The office will accept applications from Monday through Dec. 31, with the exception of Dec. 24-26, when it will be closed.