With the arrival of winter and the cold, often extreme in some states of the country, increases heating consumption which can affect the finances of many families. For this reason, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) has been implemented.
You should know that (LIHEAP) does not provide direct subsidies to individuals; LIHEAP does not charge a fee to receive a benefit. Although the deadline to register can be extended until May 2024, authorities recommend applying for Energy Assistance as soon as possible, taking into account that November, December, January and February are usually the coldest months of the year.
You must be clear that a check will not be deposited to you, but that energy bill payments are sent directly to the home’s energy company or to a fuel supplier such as propane, fuel oil or wood, depending on the case. The Program is funded and administered by the Department of Commerce.
WHAT IS THE LIHEAP PROGRAM?
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides assistance to eligible low-income households to cover their energy costs for heating and cooling, bill payment assistance, disaster relief energy crisis, weatherization and energy-related home repairs.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF LIHEAP?
LIHEAP is designed differently in each state, as each climate is not the same everywhere. Depending on where you live, your local LIHEAP office can give you things like:
- Help paying your heating or cooling bills;
- Emergency services in cases of energy crisis, such as utility outages; and
- Low-cost home improvements, known as weatherization, that make your home more energy efficient and reduce your utility bills.
NOTE: To locate your local office you must review the official link of LIHEAP and search for your status and enter the link.
WHAT DOES IT NEED TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE LIHEAP PROGRAM?
To be eligible for this benefit program, you must need financial assistance to cover your home energy costs.
In that sense, the Community Services Office indicates that you can automatically qualify if at least one member of your household gets help from any of the following programs:
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
- Certain Veterans Benefits
To qualify, you must have an annual household income (before taxes) at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level. That means that, for a family of four, your annual income must be less than $60,000. Look at the LIHEAP chart, which is based on family size.
HOW DO I APPLY FOR THE LIHEAP PROGRAM?
To find out if you are eligible to receive LIHEAP benefits, you must:
- Contact your state or tribal LIHEAP office (in English).
If you would like help applying for LIHEAP benefits
- Call toll-free number (in English): 1-866-674-6327
- send an email to: [email protected]
- Call toll-free number (in English): 1-866-674-6327
- send an email to: [email protected]
- or you can contact the LIHEAP office in your state.