Winter Heating Program date extended

County Job and Family Services information

The Van Wert County Department of Job and Family Services has extended the one-time heating payment for income-eligible families with dependent children to May 2, while the work requirement has been removed from the program.

Families can apply for payment of an outstanding bill for their primary heating source. Payment will be made directly to the utility company for the amount due, up to $500.

Eligibility is still based on income, but it doesn’t have to be income from work now. Families receiving unemployment, SSI and Social Security disability who aren’t working through no fault of their own, or parents with no income who are between jobs, can now qualify for this program.

“With the program being open to more people, I encourage anyone wanting to apply to do so quickly,” said County DJS Director Mary Beth Holtsberry.

Because the funds used are from Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program, there will always be a requirement that there be a dependent child in the household.

Applications will now be taken until the close of business on May 2, or until funds are exhausted. A face-to-face interview is not required and applications are available at the Job and Family Services front desk during normal business hours (8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday).

Those who already received payment under the winter heating program, which began in February, have used up their eligibility.