Be patient. Be persistent.

That's the advice from Allegheny County to residents who want to apply for grants of up to $800 under the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, called LIHEAP.

"The response this year has been overwhelming," said Sally Petrilli of the county's Department of Human Services. "There are people standing in line when our offices in Braddock, McKeesport and Natrona Heights open at 8:30 a.m.

"We've been so busy we've had to ask some people who come to those offices to return the next day," Mrs. Petrilli said. "But we've been keeping the Downtown office [at 1 Smithfield St.] open until everyone has been served. We've been here as late as 7 p.m. since Nov. 3 when we started accepting applications. We've already served more than 1,600 applicants."

Just Harvest, a center for action against hunger, issued a news release yesterday in which it complained that the branch offices are understaffed by employees who are requiring applicants to supply more income documentation than necessary.

Ms. Petrilli said there is room for only two employees at each of the branch offices at 849 Braddock Ave. in Braddock, 345 Fifth Ave. in McKeesport and 1913 Freeport Road in the Natrona Heights neighborhood of Harrison. "They can't stay open as late as we can because they have to comply with the hours those buildings are open for business."

She said the requirements for income documentation are set by the state Department of Public Welfare "and we have to abide by them."

She said applicants should call her office from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. using the toll-free number -- 1-800-851-3838 -- so county workers can tell them the documentation they need to bring with them.

"It will save them time. And we may be able to complete some applications over the phone.

"We also are asking them to be patient and persistent. We're receiving more than 500 calls a day on the six phone lines used for the Energy Assistance Crisis Program," said Mrs. Petrilli. "If the lines are busy, we're asking applicants to call back until they get through. And if they can't come Downtown, they should get to the branch offices early."

Mrs. Petrilli said applicants who have been notified by their electric and/or gas companies that their service will be shut off should contact the utility companies, explain that they are seeking a grant and ask for leniency until they get it. The grants are sent directly to the utility companies and may be divided between or among them.