Utility assistance available in Ottawa

Some Ottawa utility customers may qualify for assistance with their electric bills.

The City of Ottawa will pay half of the electric bills to qualified utility customers — those who are eligible for Supplemental Social Security (SSI) or Supplemental Social Security Disability (SSDI) — during December, January, February and March.

Requirements include:

• Provide proof from the Social Security Office that you are on Supplemental Social Security or Supplemental Social Security Disability for 2010.

• Fill out an application.

• Have utility service in your name and have a good payment record.

Applications are available at Ottawa City Hall, 101 S. Hickory St.; East Central Kansas Area Agency on Aging, 132 S. Main St.; Franklin County Senior Center, 130 S. Main St.; and East Central Kansas Economic Opportunity Corp., 1320 S. Ash St.

To obtain your SSI or SSDI income information, contact the Social Security Office at (800) 772-1213 or its Lawrence office at (785) 843-2254.

For more information on the utility assistance program, call Mary at Ottawa City Hall at (785) 229-3600.