Low Income Heating Energy Assistance Program
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program is a program that assists the disabled, elderly and low-income individuals or families with funding to pay their home heating and electric bills. The program is funded by the Mandatory Block Grant and is available in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, U.S territories and Indian tribes.
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Purpose
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The LIHEAP program was established to provide households the ability to pay their electric and heating bill during extreme weather. Many low-income families may result to drastic methods to heat a cold house in the winter or not have enough funding to cool a hot house in the summer. The funds from the LIHEAP program can reduce the incidence of illnesses or death due to extreme weather.
Assistance
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LIHEAP offers three types of assistance: bill pay, weatherization and energy crisis. The bill pay assistance is the most common LIHEAP assistance used. It provides a one-time payment on gas and electricity bills for applicants who qualify. Weatherization assistance assists individuals who are unable to afford to weatherize their home for the winter or summer months. It provides supplies such as caulk, window sealers and draft stoppers. In some cases, the program may supply water heaters, as well as air conditioners. The energy crisis assistance is a program that helps individuals whose utilities have been shut off or in danger of being shut off. The program will match funds up to $1,000 to most families, to enable them to get their utilities turned on or keep them from being disconnected.
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Eligibility
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Low-income, elderly and disabled individuals who meet the income requirement are eligible for the program. The income requirements varies by county and is determined by CEDA. In addition, all applicants must be a U.S citizen with proof of residence, and they must have a valid energy or heating bill.
How to Apply
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To apply for LIHEAP, the applicant must complete an application in person at an approved LIHEAP facility. In addition, he must submit a recent copy of his gas and or energy bill, a recent paycheck stub or proof of income sources, a birth certificate and Social Security card for himself, as well as everyone in his household, and a current lease or property tax bill.
How Are The Funds Received?
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If you are approved for the program, the funds are paid directly to the energy or gas companies on your behalf. The amount is based on the total of your bill, the number of people in your household and your income. The companies will receive a one-time lump sum payment. The funds are usually dispensed more in the winter than the summer, according to The Office of Community Services. This is because more applicants apply when the funds become available; usually in September. Once the funds are depleted, they aren't replenished to the next year.
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References
- Photo Credit electricity image by toki from Fotolia.com
