Life-giving SWAP firewood awaiting vouchered persons, back in 2012. File photo: HCSO.

Press release from the Humboldt Senior Resource Center:

Low-cost firewood vouchers will be available from Humboldt Senior Resource Center (HSRC) starting Tuesday, November 28th. The vouchers will be sold — until gone — Tuesday through Friday from 9 am to 2:30 pm at the Humboldt Senior Resource Center located at 1910 California St. in Eureka.  Voucher sales are on a first-come, first-served basis; there is no wait list.

The first week of the sale (Nov. 28 to Dec. 1) vouchers will only be sold to those households who have not purchased wood through this program in 2017. Depending on sales volume the first week, multiple vouchers per household may be available beginning December 5. Once purchased, vouchers can be redeemed for one cord of wood per voucher at the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Work Alternative Program (SWAP) lot in Eureka starting on December 2nd.  Households with an individual age 55 or older and living on a low to moderate income are eligible to purchase firewood vouchers.

A pick-up day will be assigned at the time of purchase, or a delivery driver can be assigned for an additional fee.  On pick-up days, SWAP staff and attendants at the lot will direct and load your wood for you. The wood will be stacked in your vehicle loosely.  A cord of wood is 4 feet by 4 feet by 8 feet stacked. Smaller trucks may need to make multiple trips.  If using a delivery driver, a fee is paid to the driver when wood is delivered and is based on location. Drivers will deliver from Rio Dell to Patrick’s Point.

Effort is made to ensure the wood is between 16 and 18 inches long. The type and quality of wood varies, ranging from pine to madrone, to redwood to oak and more.  Some of the wood may have been cut months ago; others may have been cut the day before pick-up.  There is no guarantee of the type or quality received, but historically has been a mixture.

 Vouchers are priced on a sliding scale costing between $78-$121 (tax included) based upon the purchaser’s household size and monthly household income.  Proof of age and income are required.  Bring an identification document such as a driver’s license and documentation to prove your total household income such as a 2016 tax return, a Social Security award letter, two current paycheck stubs, or a bank statement showing direct deposits of income. Payment for the vouchers can be made by cash or local check only.