Government Help With Power Bills

You can use LIHEAP assistance to modernize your home heating system.

If you are having trouble paying for power to heat or cool your home, you may qualify for the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. While your local utility may be willing to negotiate its terms of payment, LIHEAP assistance is available to needy people anywhere in the United States.

Eligibility

You can qualify for LIHEAP only if you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Your household income may be no more than 150 percent of the federal poverty level or 60 percent of your state's median income, whichever is greater. These amounts are established and periodically updated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. However, some states and local administrative agencies give priority to those applicants whose energy costs are highest relative to their incomes.

Benefits

While LIHEAP assistance can be used just to pay heating and cooling bills, the program is intended to address an array of problems that can leave people with inadequate climate protection. For example, you can apply the aid to home weatherization projects, like upgrading wall insulation, fixing windows or modernizing a heating system. In some states, you can also get inspections, repairs and help in buying and installing alternative energy appliances, like propane heaters.

How to Apply

You cannot apply directly to the federal government for LIHEAP. Instead, each state's LIHEAP office designates community sites where applications are accepted. Information is also available from the National Energy Assistance Referral Project, a free telephone service. In your application, you must provide copies of your utility bills and termination notices. In addition, LIHEAP requires proof of your earnings, any income you receive from other public assistance programs, and Social Security numbers for every member of your household.

State Variations

State governments are allowed to vary local LIHEAP services and eligibility rules. For example, you may be able to obtain energy conservation education or assessment of certain energy-related health risks in your home. States may impose tougher eligibility tests than the federal government, like limiting assistance to only those applicants at imminent risk of having their power shut off. Local rules can also be less restrictive, like allocating funds to any household with at least one member who receives food stamps or other public assistance.

References

• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program Eligibility Criteria
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program Fact Sheet