As temperatures fall, utility bills rise, and the city of Corpus Christi is helping its most vulnerable residents make those payments. The Limited Utility Assistance Program is accepting applications from low-income seniors, veterans, and individuals with disabilities needing assistance. 
LUAP caps assistance at $500 per household and will pay the bills directly through the use of a $130,000 block grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Applications are limited to 350 households. The assistance program was announced on Nov. 16. As of Nov. 18, the city had received 47 completed forms. 
To be eligible, applicants must have a combined household income at or below 50 percent of the area’s median income. Eligible income would be less than $27,150 for a person living alone and below $38,750 for a family of four.
Application forms are online and at the Neighborhood Services Department at City Hall, 1201 Leopard St. The forms are also available to residents in the Senior Companion Program. 
Applicants can email completed forms to utilityassistanceprogram@cctexas.com or submit them in person at the Neighborhood Services Department.
chuck@thepicayune.com