When cold weather reaches East Tennessee, keeping the heat on can become a serious financial concern for older residents living on fixed incomes.

Fortunately, Knoxville-Knox County Community Action Committee administers assistance programs that may help eligible households manage winter energy costs.

The federally funded Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, often called LIHEAP, supports qualifying households with heating and cooling expenses.

According to current local program guidance, the online application portal is open, and awards generally range from $300 to $800, depending on household energy burden.

The assistance is credited directly to the utility account rather than handed to an applicant as cash.

Applicants should prepare identification, household information, income documentation and any additional forms requested by the application system.

The required portal is operated by the Tennessee Housing Development Agency, and applicants need an email address to register and receive updates.

Those uncomfortable navigating an online application can ask CAC for help rather than assuming they are ineligible.

Regular application assistance is scheduled Mondays and Wednesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at CAC locations.

Crisis assistance is offered weekdays during those hours for households facing a serious utility problem such as a disconnection or shutoff notice, subject to additional requirements.

Residents can call 865-637-6700 for guidance, including which location and program may fit their circumstances.

Another program, Project Help, is administered by CAC in partnership with Knoxville Utilities Board.

It provides emergency energy assistance in KUB's service area for qualifying households with a documented financial hardship and final utility notice.

Project Help can address more than electric bills, including natural gas, propane, heating oil, wood and coal.

Eligibility depends on program rules, including income and hardship documentation; simply being over age 65 does not automatically qualify someone.

People who rent should still inquire because some assistance programs can help households that do not own their homes.

Do not wait until the day before a possible disconnection to begin asking questions.

CAC notes that applications may take time to process, and incomplete submissions can cause delays.

Submitting repeated applications does not speed things up and can actually extend the processing timeline.

Older residents who live outside Knox County should contact their local community action agency or utility provider for programs serving their county.

Family members can help by gathering paperwork and verifying that all notices and requests for information are answered promptly.

Asking for assistance is a practical step toward keeping a home safe and comfortable during colder weather.

For Knoxville-area residents, CAC's utility assistance office is a good place to begin at 865-637-6700.