August 15 is the deadline to apply for Cooling Assistance funds available through the Hanover County Department of Social Services.

Cooling Assistance helps eligible households meet costs related to cooling one's home. This can include:

• payment of electric bills (up to a determined maximum) to operate cooling equipment;
• payment of security deposits for electricity to operate cooling equipment
• repair of a central air conditioning system or heat pump
• purchase of a whole-house fan, including ceiling or attic fans
• the purchase and installation of one window unit air conditioner for households where there is no unit or where the unit needs to be replaced

A reminder that low-income Hanoverians who have heating emergencies might be eligible for Crisis Assistance, a federal program administered by the Hanover County Department of Social Services. Applications will be accepted through March 15 or until funds run out.

Crisis Assistance can help eligible households when Fuel Assistance or other resources cannot meet the need. A heating emergency could be a lack of heat, an imminent cut-off of utilities and inoperable or unsafe heating equipment.

Funds may be used to pay your utility security deposit, buy a portable space heater or primary home heating fuel, pay your primary heat utility bill, repair or replace heating equipment or provide supplemental heating equipment.

For more information or to request an application, call Hanover Social Services at 365-4103