Organization helps Idahoans keep warm in winter

Winter weather is here. Is your home prepared?

You can do a lot of things to stay warm in the winter, and the Eastern Idaho Community Action Partnership is making sure all households will be warm.

EICAP has two programs to help people in Idaho stay warm during the winter. One is the Energy Assistance Program, which is available for low-income households.

“The state then turns around and sends a check to your utility company for about two to three months of heating costs,” said EIPAC’s Sheryl Bailey.

If you qualify for the Energy Assistance Program, you also qualify for the Weatherization Program.

“They can help with windows, insulation, doors weather stripping a lot of different things that they can work on to make a home more efficient and effective,” said Bailey.

Bailey said this program is important for people on a tight budget, so they don’t have to choose one necessity over another.

“When some of those costs go up, they have to make some decisions between ‘Am I going to pay for my heat and keep my heat on, or am I going to eat ramen noodles?'” Bailey said.

If you think you qualify for these programs, contact EICAP, and someone will come out check your home. Click here for more information.

If you do not quality for these programs, there is still plenty you can do. For example, you can insulate your home yourself. You can find many of the things you will need at your local hardware store, including window and door insulation tape and kits, as well as insulation sheets for your outlets.

You can also use a thermometer to keep track of hot or cold it is in your home, and find out if you can turn down your heater.