Lawrence residents who need help paying energy bills can go to Ballard Center on Wednesday and Thursday to see whether they qualify for a federal program.

Westar Energy customer advisers will help residents from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the center, 708 Elm St. They will help determine eligibility for the Low Income Energy Assistance Program, a federal program that helps people pay a portion of those bills once a year. People should provide proof of identification and income, and a copy of their utility bill. They also must show they recently paid a bill, which the advisers can look up in their system.

Paul Youk, director of Ballard’s Human Service Programs, said this was the first session he was aware of in which help completing applications was offered. For more information on the program and family eligibility, visit www.srskansas.org/ISD/ees/lieap.htm.