Keep the Heat Applications Now Available

Low-income Nova Scotians may now apply for assistance under the province's Keep the Heat program.

More than 25,000 application packages have been sent to recipients of last year's program, and others who feel they may be eligible are encouraged to apply, said Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations Minister Barry Barnet.

Keep the Heat offers a cash rebate of $250 for eligible applicants who heat their homes with oil or propane. For those who heat with electricity, wood, coal, wood pellets or natural gas, a $100 rebate is available.

Families with net annual incomes under $25,000 and single people under $15,000 qualify. Rebates for those who heat with oil or propane will increase 25 per cent over last year, to $250. Users of other fuels and electricity will be able to apply for a $100 rebate.

"This program offers immediate and long-term help to low income Nova Scotians, and I urge anyone who thinks they may be eligible to apply," said Mr. Barnet. "Applications are available at Access Nova Scotia centres, from MLAs, local Community Services offices, on the government website, or by calling our toll-free number."

Everyone eligible for a rebate will receive a free energy savings kit, valued at $50, to help them achieve permanent energy savings. Oil users may also be eligible for a furnace tune-up voucher. Also, as part of a Keep the Heat pilot program, 3,000 electricity users will qualify to have thermostats in their homes replaced with more accurate models that reduce electricity use.

Applications and more information about Keep the Heat are available at 1-800-670-4357, or at www.gov.ns.ca .