Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is closed until next November.
LIHEAP Cash
LIHEAP Cash helps pay for utility bills during the late autumn and winter months. LIHEAP Cash does not require that the customer have past-due bills.
LIHEAP Crisis
LIHEAP Crisis helps keep a crisis from happening. If a household is experiencing a heating emergency caused by the utility service to the home being turned off and locked, being without fuel, having broken heating equipment or leaking lines which must be fixed or replaced.
NOTE: DPW may extend or shorten the program depending upon the availability of federal funds.
Federal Poverty Guidelines
How to apply for a LIHEAP Cash Grant
Beginning on opening day, individuals or households with annual gross income equal to or less than 150 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines are eligible for LIHEAP Cash assistance. Please note that while DHS accepts LIHEAP Cash applications, the Department does not process them onsite.
In addition to the LIHEAP Cash program, households experiencing a heating crisis prior to January 3, 2012 may be eligible for the LIHEAP Crisis Exception program. To qualify for LIHEAP Crisis Exception a household must be without heat. To be considered “without heat”:
- The main heating source or second heating source (a source that is used to operate the main heating source or used if the main heating source is not working) has been completely shut-off;
OR
- A household has almost run out of their supply of main heating fuel (coal, fuel oil, kerosene, propane, wood, etc.).
How to Apply for a LIHEAP Crisis Grant
Eligibility
Beginning on opening day, households that have an emergency situation resulting in the loss of their home heating source may be eligible for a LIHEAP Crisis grant.
Emergency situations include:
- Broken heating equipment or leaking lines that must be fixed or replaced
- Lack of deliverable fuel (oil, kerosene, propane, etc.)
- Utility service to the home has been turned off and locked
- A termination notice, dated February 1, 2012 or after - depending on availability of funding
Amount of LIHEAP Crisis Grant
- Minimum LIHEAP Crisis grant is $25.
- Maximum LIHEAP Crisis grant is $300.
- LIHEAP Crisis grant is based on the exact amount needed to resolve the emergency.
- More than one LIHEAP Crisis grant is allowable per household up to a maximum of $300 for the year if
- at least $25 is available in household's unused Crisis benefit and
- the household is experiencing an additional heating emergency.
Information You Will Need To apply and be determined eligible for the seasonal LIHEAP Crisis Program, a household must provide the following information:
- A letter from the utility provider indicating the service is off (or a current and valid termination notice when applicable) or proof of heating emergency; for deliverable fuels, a copy of the last bill; for furnace repairs, the red tag or complete description of problem. Renters need lease and written landlord permission if a furnace repair is being requested.
- Proof of social security numbers for all persons in the household;
- Proof of gross income for the last 90 days must be provided for all household members, age 18 years or older, who have income. NOTE: In cases of fluctuating income, up to one year of income verification may be required.
- Gross income includes: SSI or Social Security, D.P.A., employment wages, disability, unemployment compensation, self-employment, support or alimony payments, zero income. Specific documents are required as proof of the above income. Call 1-800-851-3838 for details.
- Proof of award is required for those receiving Cash Assistance, Food Stamps or Medical Assistance or other unearned income, such as retirement pension, Social Security, Social Security Disability, or Supplemental Security Income.
- No income documentation is required for anyone who has confirmed approval for this year’s LIHEAP Cash grant.
Where To Apply
A household member must apply in person for LIHEAP Crisis or other utility assistance programs at one of the following LIHEAP Crisis offices:
No Termination Notices
Regulated utilities are prevented from disconnecting utility service during the winter moratorium (December 1 - March 31). Therefore, unless the Public Utility Commission (PUC) has granted permission to terminate, termination notices are not a valid emergency and LIHEAP Crisis benefits cannot be granted.
PUC termination procedures require that:
- Customer must file a complaint against utility with the PUC.
- PUC will make a determination regarding the customer’s complaint.
- If the customer does not abide by the decision of the PUC the utility may petition the PUC to have the customer’s service terminated.
LIHEAP 'CRISIS' brochure
For more information about LIHEAP Crisis grants call 1-800-851-3838
Utility assistance information
A variety of programs are available to assist qualified individuals and families to pay their utility bills.
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