Madison County helps impoverished families with air conditioner giveaway
By Devese “Dee” Ursery
The Community Services Block Grant and Madison County Community Development have joined forces to distribute air conditioners to low-income households consisting of elderly, disabled and children five-years old and younger.
For over 20 years the CSBG has been giving away window unit air conditioners to Madison County residents that are living well below the poverty line. The CSBG grant is a federally funded block grant program whose primary goal is to provide support services that alleviate the causes and conditions of poverty.
According to Amy Lyerla, Planner for MCCD, a/c wall units will be distributed when they arrive. CSBG staff will inform the client of when and where to pick up the a/c window unit at a later date. She also said they were able to give away 72 window units, in part to a charitable donation of 50 wall units from Ameren Illinois. “This year, we will provide 46 units,” Lyeria continued.
The air conditioner window unit program began as a result of assisting low-income residents who suffer from heat related health issues.
“Our focus is to assist low-income households consisting of elderly, disabled and children under five and younger,” Lyeria said. “For persons under 60 years of age who don’t have children under age five must provide a letter from their doctor containing specific ailment a household member suffers from.”
Households that received an air conditioner from MCCD within the last three years are not eligible. Eligible households must be at or below 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
“To be eligible, clients must complete our intake application and meet the income guidelines,” Lyeria said. “Clients will need to provide photo id, social security cards for all members in household, gross income for all members in household, copy of utility bill that is not a back bill and below $600.00, and doctor’s note if under 60 years of age with medical condition.”
Each household member needs to provide gross income documentation for their entire household/family income for the past 30 days. Everyone over the age of 18 must provide income documentation.
People 60 years or older or who suffer from a medical condition that can be relieved by air conditioning. Persons under 60 years of age must provide a letter from their doctor containing the specific ailment they’re suffering from or have children in the household five years or under. Medical conditions may include asthma, COPD, emphysema, coronary disease and immediate terminal illness. Each household must provide a current copy of their utility bill to prove that they have utilities, and do not have a back bill or are in threat of disconnection.
There will be one window unit provided per qualifying house/holdindividual. The person from the household who picks up the AC will be required to show a picture ID. only the person who filed the application will be allowed to pick up their unit.
CSBG staff will assist clients with completing a release/waiver/indemnifying agreement for tracking purposes.
