Low-income individuals and families concerned about winter heating costs can begin applying for help Friday. 

The federally-funded Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program pays for part of the heating costs of qualifying households, as well as furnace repairs and weatherization services, a news release from the state Department of Human Services said. 

To qualify, a household can earn up to 60 percent of the state median income, which for a family of three equals about $36,843 per year. 

People can apply at their local county social service office through. The application is also available at http://www.nd.gov/eforms/Doc/sfn00529.pdf and should be completed and returned to the county office. 

Last heating season, the state program helped about 16,000 North Dakota households.