If your monthly electricity bill from LUMA Energy is past due or about to be disconnected and you live below the poverty level, know that you may be eligible for up to $900 in public assistance to help settle the bill, as announced this Thursday by Governor Pedro P’ Jerluisi

Assistance will be provided by the Department of Family Services under the federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP. In fact, you can already start submitting requests to participate in this benefit through the ADSEF Digital platform.

The President together with the interim secretary of the Department of the Family Sieni Rodríguez Troche and the administrator of the Administration of Socio-Economic Development of the Family (ADSEF) Alberto Fradera explained that the government has allocated about 27 million US dollars to this program to pay for electricity.

“Today we announce the beginning of accepting applications for the program of economic assistance for the payment of electricity to low-income citizens and families. My administration has an unwavering commitment to providing our people with the services they need, so we are continually expanding state and federal assistance programs. This program can mean up to $900 in assistance toward paying electricity bills to eligible families. That is why it is so important that this message reaches them so that they can apply as soon as possible,” the executive director said in a press release.

The governor added that “for this year, 27 million dollars have been allocated for this program, which comes from the federal Department of Health. I should note that as a result of the efforts I led during my time in Congress, Puerto Rico has benefited from a significant increase in the funds it receives under this program. Although we have not reached parity, we previously received less than $4 million, and in 2013 our island appropriations tripled and have continued to increase to meet the needs of our island American citizens. This initiative is another example of how we provide our people with all available assistance, which allows us to ease the costs of services and contribute to them having a dignified life.”

According to the poverty guidelines presented, a person living alone must earn an annual salary of $10,515 to benefit. until, with the income of two people must be $13,751 and with four about $20,223. As the size of the family increases, the permitted income also increases. For example, it was explained that for eight people, the income is up to $33,166 and that “households with more than eight members (must) add an amount of $3,236 for each additional member.”

For his part, Rodríguez Troche commented that “our priority as a government is to help low-income families who have many difficulties. This year, we’re announcing up to $900 in utility bills for eligible families. We are extremely committed to providing alternatives that can ease the financial burden of our families in vulnerable situations.”

For his part, the administrator of ADSEF, Alberto Fradera Vázquez, said that “this program is an important help so that our families living below the poverty line can get a significant relief of the economic burden and avoid the supply of electricity. The benefit is only available once per financial year and payment is made by electronic transfer to the participant’s Luma Energy account, so people will not receive the benefit money.”

“We invite those who meet the eligibility requirements to apply. This assistance is subject to availability of funds and verification of data provided by the applicant. The process is simple and fast; they can do so through the ADSEF Digital platform. If they do not have access to the Internet, they can apply by calling 3-1-1 or by visiting a Department of Family Affairs office,” added Fradera.

Applicants must access the ADSEF digital platform, complete an application and submit a number of documents. They will then be redirected to turnospr.com and receive a telephone appointment with a specialist who will tell them if they are eligible for economic assistance in the event of an energy crisis.

Necessary documents, special requirements and poverty guides are available for consultation at ADSEF Digital.