By Associated Press
Nashville, TN – Tennesseeans who've received help from the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program since last July must wait until October 1st to reapply for benefits. This is because the funds are now being awarded annually to coincide with the federal fiscal year moving from July 1 to Oct. 1. State Department of Human Services assistant commissioner Robert Matthews says his agency is aware of hardships faced by many citizens during the summer. He says his department will assist them in any way possible. The program is designed to help low-income households pay their home energy bills.