Nov. 2--GUILFORD COUNTY -- Low-income energy assistance programs started Monday across the Triad.

The programs, administered by the Division of Social Services, give eligible families a one-time cash payment to help with heating bills.

Families can apply for assistance through Nov. 13. All eligible households will receive a check in the mail in February.

In Guilford County, DSS provided assistance for 5,000 families last year as the program grew 17 percent.

Last week, Piedmont Natural Gas rolled out the Share the Warmth Round Up to offer customers a simple way to round up their monthly natural gas bills to the nearest dollar with the difference going to assist low-income neighbors. PNG launched the program in July, making an initial commitment to contribute $100,000 to partner agencies. Over the past four months, more than 6,000 Piedmont customers have enrolled.

"The need for assistance in the communities we serve has never been greater, and as the weather turns cool, we expect those needs to increase significantly," said Kevin O'Hara, Piedmont Natural Gas senior vice president, corporate and community affairs.

To be eligible for the DSS program, families must meet all of the following criteria:

--The household must be at or below 110 percent of poverty level, which means bringing in less than $2,022 a month for a family of four.

--The household must be responsible for the heating bills.

--Household assets can not be more than $2,200

--The household must include a U.S. citizen.

--Households certified in the Food Stamp Information System through October or later will receive an automatic payment if they meet program guidelines.

Warmth

Share the Warmth: Visit www.piedmontng.com and click on the Share the Warmth; call a customer service representative at (800) 752-7504 or fill out a form on the back of the PNG monthly statement.

Funds: Contributions are tax deductible and every donation goes directly to an approved Share the Warmth Round Up partner agency, including local DSS offices.

Contribute: Send a check to Piedmont Natural Gas, Share the Warmth Round Up, Attn: Treasury Dept., 4720 Piedmont Row Dr., 8th Floor, Charlotte, NC 28210

DSS: Guilford County Department of Social Services, 641-3000.

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