The seasonably warm fall days do not take away the chill of the night. As colder weather approaches, assistance with paying heating bills is even closer for Gordon County households.

Tallatoona Class Action Partnership (CAP) in Gordon County will assist 1200 Gordon County families, up to $350 per household, with paying their heating bills.

Heating bill assistance has been an annual event with Tallatoona for more than 20 years, according to Service Director, Sheila Calloway, but this year, senior citizens are the main focus.

Beginning November 1, only senior households 65 years and older and/or homebound individuals may begin to apply.

According to Calloway, homebound refers to individuals who are physically unable to travel anywhere but the doctors office, and must travel there by ambulance.

For all others, online appointments begin December 1 at www.tallatoonacap.org, or by calling the appointment line beginning, Dec. 3, toll free, at 770-817-4666 or 770-773-7730.

The call center, based out of Cartersville, will schedule an appointment with Gordon County Tallatoona CAP, where participants must bring documentation before being given assistance.

Applicants must bring a Picture ID or birth certificate, Original social security cards for everyone living in the home, proof of citizenship or immigration status, must current heating bill (must be within the last 30 days of appointment), proof of income for the last 30 days for everyone that is 18 or older living in the home. If someone 18 or older has zero income, the must come to the appointment.

Senior citizens are strongly encouraged to apply, and Calloway hopes others will reach out to the elderly in the community who might not think they are qualified.

“I really would like family members, to help get the word out especially to the elderly, sometimes the elderly don’t know, because they waited too late,” said Calloway. “I just hope the public and readers will tell their elderly neighbors or family members, they don’t have to know if they qualify and its confidential. They might think they’re not eligible and they might be eligible, especially to the elderly population, a lot of them are below the poverty level.”

Funded by federal dollars, the program will last until no less than 1200 families are served, according to Calloway, who says the annual event is effective and helps those in need.