El Dorado County’s 2012 Home Energy Assistance Program will begin accepting applications Sept. 10.

Federally funded HEAP helps income-eligible families pay their energy bills. HEAP can help pay for electricity, natural gas, wood, propane, or heating oil costs of eligible households. Benefits may be paid once a year. The amount of the benefit depends on household income and size, and the amount of the energy bill compared to income. Even if utilities are included in rent, HEAP may be able to help.

Due to limited funding, applications for 2012 HEAP will only be accepted from households with the highest energy burden that have at least one of the following living in the home: child(ren) under age 5, disabled individual(s), or individual(s) over the age of 60.

Applications can be picked up 937 Spring St., Placerville and 3368 Lake Tahoe Blvd., Suite 202, South Lake Tahoe.

For more information, call (530) 573.3490.