Deadline Approaches for Heating Fuel Rebate

SERVICE N.S./MUNICIPAL RELATIONS--Deadline Approaches for Heating Fuel Rebate

People who intend to apply for the Low Income Fuel Assistance Program should do so soon; the deadline for applications is Monday, March 31.

The program will provide $50 to qualified families with a net income of $17,400 or less, single people earning $10,000 or less, recipients of income assistance, and seniors who receive the guaranteed income supplement or spouse's allowance. The assistance is available to qualified applicants who heat their homes with oil or propane.

Applications can be picked up or dropped off at any Access Nova Scotia Centre, Registry of Motor Vehicles or Community Services offices, or mailed to Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations, Low Income Fuel Assistance Program, P.O. Box 1523, Halifax, N.S., B3J 2Y3.

Applications can also be obtained by calling 424-5200 in the Halifax area, or toll-free 1-800-670-4357. The form is also available on the department's Web site www.gov.ns.ca/snsmr .

Applicants must include a copy of their 2001 or 2002 Canada Customs and Revenue Agency income tax assessment form and a copy of a recent oil or propane bill. Canada Customs and Revenue officials will work with Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations staff to verify the income of applicants if income tax assessment forms are not immediately available.

"The process is fairly simple: we ask applicants to provide us with proof that they heat with oil or propane and of their income level," said Anne James, director of business and consumer registration. "Our staff will follow up with people who send incomplete applications but this takes time. We can issue a cheque within a week or two if the application is completed correctly."

To date the government has issued 3,000 cheques and another 5,000 applications are being processed.