AUBURN – Due to increasing demand and interest in Maine’s Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), Community Concepts has announced it will take applications at 19 sites across Androscoggin and Oxford counties.

LIHEAP provides money to help low-income homeowners and renters pay for heating costs. Each applicant is required to set up an appointment.

Jim Wilkins, director of corporate advancement at Community Concepts, said recent spikes in the cost of home heating oil and natural gas has resulted in Community Concepts getting a record number of phone calls.

“Since the enrollment period began on July 1, we’ve had over 1,900 phone calls from people interesting in applying,” he said.

In an effort to make it as easy as possible for residents of the area to set up appointments, Community Concepts will conduct them at 19 locations in the two counties. “With the cost of gas climbing, we’re trying to make it as easy as possible for people to access our services as close to their home as possible,” said Wilkins.

To set up an appointment in Oxford County, residents should call 743-7716. Those living in Androscoggin County should call 795-4065.

Applicants should be prepared to provide names and social security numbers of all people living in household, proof of gross household income for the last three or 12 months, a copy of a recent electric bill, oil company and account number and if rent, name and telephone number of landlord.

For more information, visit www.community-concepts.org.