Some area offices will be closed on New Year’s Day, Jan. 1.
Unified Government offices will be closed on Jan. 1 for the New Year’s holiday.
The administrative offices of the Board of Public Utilities will be closed on Friday, Jan. 1.
New Year’s Day, Jan. 1, is a holiday for the state of Kansas, and also for the federal government.
It also is a holiday for the U.S. Postal Service.
Trash will not be collected at residential addresses in Kansas City, Kansas, on Friday, Jan. 1, because of the holiday, according to the Unified Government. Trash that is usually collected on Friday will be collected on Saturday, Jan. 2, this week.
The Kansas low-income energy assistance program will begin accepting applications on Monday, Jan. 4.
The program provides an annual benefit to help qualifying households pay their winter heating bills. Persons with disabilities, older adults and families with children are the primary groups who are assisted.
In 2020, about 34,000 households received an average benefit of $960, according to the Kansas Department for Children and Families, which offers the program.
“During the cold winter months, it is important that all Kansans have access to the resources they need to heat their homes and ensure their families can stay safe and healthy,” Gov. Laura Kelly said in a news release. “I encourage all those who qualify to apply for this program. My administration is committed to protecting Kansas families now, throughout the pandemic, and into the future.”
“Winters in Kansas have the likelihood of bringing frigid temperatures, add in the financial pressures of the pandemic, it’s especially important this year that families have access to this important service to avoid financial concerns,” DCF Secretary Laura Howard said. “Our staff is prepared to begin processing LIEAP applications, so families have warm homes this winter season.”
To qualify, applicants must be responsible for direct payment of their heating bills. Income eligibility requirements are set at 130 percent of the federal poverty level. The level of benefit varies according to household income, number of people living in the home, type of residence, type of heating fuel and utility rates.
Applicants need to have made payments on their heating bill two out of the last three months. Those payments must be equal to or exceed $80 or the total balance due on their energy bills, whichever is less.
Applications for the program have been mailed to households that received energy assistance last year. LIEAP applications are also available at local DCF offices and through partnering agencies starting Jan. 4. They can be requested by calling 1-800-432-0043. To apply online, visit https://cssp.kees.ks.gov/apspssp/sspNonMed.portal. For more information, visit http://www.dcf.ks.gov/services/ees/Pages/EnergyAssistance.aspx.
Applications will be accepted from Jan. 4 to March 31.
Income eligibility determination:
Funding for the Low-Income Energy Assistance program is provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Community Service through the Federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program.
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Snow, sleet and freezing rain is expected to move into the area Thursday night and Friday, leaving 2 to 4 inches of snow, according to the National Weather Service forecast.
Wyandotte County is under a winter weather advisory from midnight tonight through 6 p.m. Jan. 1, the weather service said.
The weather service advised motorists to slow down and use caution while traveling. The latest road conditions for highways are available by calling 5-1-1.
Today, it will be mostly sunny, with a high near 37 and an east southeast wind of 3 to 7 mph, the weather service said.
Tonight, New Year’s Eve, there is a 90 percent chance of snow, mainly after 1 a.m., according to the weather service. The low will be around 28 with an east northeast wind of 7 to 13 mph, gusting as high as 21 mph. New snow accumulation of less than a half-inch is possible.
Friday, New Year’s Day, there is a 100 percent chance of snow, with a high near 30, the weather service said. A north wind of 13 to 16 mph will gust as high as 25 mph. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches is possible.
Friday night, it will be mostly cloudy with a low of 20, according to the weather service. A north northwest wind of 5 to 13 mph will gust as high as 18 mph.
Saturday, there is a 20 percent chance of snow after noon, with a high near 33, the weather service said. A north northwest wind of 5 mph will become calm in the afternoon.
Saturday night, it will be partly cloudy, with a low of 19, according to the weather service.
Sunday, it will be mostly sunny, with a high near 41, the weather service said.
Sunday night, it will be partly cloudy, with a low of 25, according to the weather service.
Monday, it will be mostly sunny, with a high near 46, the weather service said.
Monday night, it will be partly cloudy, with a low of 26, according to the weather service.
Tuesday, it will be partly sunny, with a high near 46, the weather service said.
Tuesday night, it will be mostly cloudy, with a low of 32, according to the weather service.
Wednesday, it will be partly sunny, with a high near 47, the weather service said.
For more information, visit www.weather.gov.
