The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) may be able to help keep you and your family safe and healthy.

You  or someone you know may be eligible for help with home heating and/or cooking bills.

What is LIHEAP?

LIHEAP is a Federally-funded program that helps low-income households with their home energy bills.

LEIHEAP can help you stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer. By doing so, you can reduce the risk of health and safety problems (such as illness, fire or eviction).

The federal government does not provide energy assistance directly to the public. Instead, LIHEAP operates in the 50 States, the District of Columbia, Indian tribes or tribal organizations and the US territories.

Who is eligible to receive LIHEAP assistance?

The LIHEAP program in your community determines if you household’s income qualifies for the program. The LIHEAP program may also require households to meet additional eligibility criteria to receive LIHEAP assistance.*

*The availability of LIHEAP assistance is not guaranteed. Often most of the Federal LIHEAP funds are spent during the winter.

What Assistance does LIHEAP provide?

Your LIHEAP program may be able to offer you one or more of the following types of assistance.

*Bill payment assistance

*Energy crisis assistance

*Weatherization and energy-related home repairs

If you can’t afford to pay your home energy bill, your home may not be safe and you may be at risk or serious illness or injury.

Stay healthy in your home:

Energy assistance is important to all that receive it but more so if someone in your home is elderly, disabled or a young child under 6 years old. These persons are especially as risk for life-threatening illness or death if the home is too cold in the winter or too hot in the summer.

Be safe in your home:

You can face safety risks if you are unable to pay your home energy bills. Some people resort to unsafe methods to keep their homes warm or cool. These include the use of fireplaces, stoves, improperly vented portable heaters, barbecue grills or overloading electrical circuits. These methods are not only fire hazards but also create the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

What information do I need to apply?

You may need the following:

*Recent copies of your utility bills.

*A recent payroll stub or other proof that shows your current gross income.

*Documentation showing income from Social Security, Unemployment Insurance, Pension Funds, disability, etc.

*Final Utility, Termination Notice (if you’ve received a shut-off notice from your energy company).

*Proof of present address (e.g. rent receipt, lease or deed, property tax bill).

*Social Security cards (or numbers) for all persons living in your household.

*Proof of U.S. citizenship or permanent residence.

For more information about LIHEAP and where to apply:

You can call the National Energy Assistance Referral (NEAR) project. NEAR is a free service providing information on where you can apply for LIHEAP. You can speak to someone at NEAR Monday through Friday from 7:00am-5:00pm (Mountain Time).

Call the toll-free phone number at: 1-866-674-6327 or send an email to : energy@ncat.org or you can contact your local LIHEAP office at:

http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/liheap/grantees/states.html

The information presented by:

Administration for Children & Families

Office of Community Services

Division of Energy Assistance

Disclaimer: This information was taken from the LIHEAP pamphlet and I give them full credit on the information. Please call them for more information.