HEATING ASSISTANCE: Recently Sun Spots has gotten several letters from readers who are struggling to pay for heat and are asking for assistance. Sun Spots wants to help, but she cannot print requests for funds from individuals, only charities.

However, she can provide some information about where readers can go for help. For answers, she found Deborah Turcotte, public information manager for MaineHousing.

For those who have computers — or are willing to visit their public library — Deborah said www.mainehousing.org is a good place to start. Click on the green “Energy” tab at the top. On that page, under Programs, you’ll see a link for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, more commonly known as LIHEAP.

The website provides details on the program, including eligibility requirements, but to apply for LIHEAP and other programs, you will need to visit your local community action agency.

In Androscoggin and Oxford counties, that would be Community Concepts in South Paris, 743-7716 or 800-866-5588 (TTY for the hearing impaired is 743-0276).

For Franklin County, call Western Maine Community Action in East Wilton, 645-3764 or 800-645-9636.

In Kennebec and Somerset counties, the Kennebec Valley Community Action Program in Waterville, 859-1500 or 800-542-8227, will take your call.

You will need to call for an appointment, and there could be a wait to get in and see someone. Demand is very great. Deborah said this year they will help about 65,000 people.

Also on mainehousing.org’s Energy page is a link called Energy Costs. It will lead you to “I need help with my energy costs” and a list of resources. These include emergency assistance as well as help with energy efficiency.

Another resource is the United Way. Just call 211 for help finding community groups and churches that offer assistance, as well as warming centers if all else fails.

Finally, you might also want to contact your town office. Towns may have funds available for emergency situations.

There are less funds this year than last, and eligibility requirements are stricter. To help make up the shortfall in the Bangor area, Stephen and Tabitha King and Pat LaMarche led an effort to raise about a quarter-million dollars for heating assistance for those in that region.

Perhaps some readers know of additional resources in the L-A area. If so, please write Sun Spots.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I wrote to Maine State Housing but never got an answer. Why do people living in subsidized housing units get LIHEAP payments even though heat is included in their rent? — No Name via email

ANSWER: Once again Sun Spots turned to Deborah Turcotte at DHHS, who wrote:

“Applicants who are eligible for LIHEAP and who live in subsidized housing with heat included in the rent receive a $5 benefit. This benefit is paid once every five years.

“Federal regulations tie the LIHEAP benefit to the Food Supplement Program. This check ensures that LIHEAP-eligible clients will have full access to the Food Supplement Program. Because the LIHEAP and food supplement programs are intertwined this way, Maine law requires MaineHousing to maintain that link.”

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