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Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

Definition	LIHEAP Eligibility	Costs
Pros & Cons	Benefit Types & Limits	How to Apply

Overview of LIHEAP
The LIHEAP benefits and programs vary from state to state. What follows is largely accurate for most states, but please be aware that there may be subtle changes from state to state.

Definition:

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides financial assistance to low income renters or homeowners to help heat or cool their homes by making direct payments to their gas or electric utility companies.

Pros & Cons:

There are 2 types of benefits under this program: Regular Benefits and Emergency Benefits, referred to as Cash Benefits and Crisis Benefits, respectively.

-Regular benefits are applied for annually, have a longer approval process and are typically granted in larger amounts.
-Emergency benefits are for those who are at immediate risk of having their utilities turned off, are dangerously low on fuel, or have been impacted by a natural disaster. These are approved or rejected within 48 hours.

In addition to the Regular LIHEAP assistance, in many states, if a senior is receiving Supplemental Security Income, he or she is eligible for a Special Reduced Residential Service Rate Program, which provides an additional 20% off their electric and/or gas bills.

Most states offer the LIHEAP benefits on a first come-first serve basis; after the funding pool is empty, the financial assistance is no longer available until the following year. This results in a rush to apply each fall as that is when most states begin accepting applications. Usually households, which include a person over the age of 60, can apply a month in advance, which guarantees seniors priority. In hot weather States, like Arizona, LIHEAP is year round. Click here for the LIHEAP 2012 application filing dates.

A household must continue to pay its utility bill during the application/approval process and, if approved, they must continue to pay a portion of the bill. Qualifying for the LIHEAP program automatically makes the household eligible for the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP), which is designed to help low income households by providing insulation, replacing broken windows, and fixing or replacing heaters and furnaces. Note: LIHEAP funds may not be used to pay water bills unless the water is required for air conditioning.

Skilled Nursing and Assisted Living

The LIHEAP program is designed for the elderly living at home. Therefore, this program is not relevant to individuals living in skilled nursing or assisted living residences.

Be Aware That:

-Being eligible for LIHEAP assistance does not guarantee that the applicant will receive the assistance. This depends on how much Federal LIHEAP funds are available for the year.
-Tenants living in subsidized housing with heat included in the rent are not eligible for energy assistance.

Also Known As:

-LIHEAP
-Low Income Energy Assistance Program
-Home Energy Assistance Program
-Fuel Assistance Program
-Utility Bill Assistance
-Utility Assistance Program
-In some states, it is called HEAP. Others states use variations of the federal program name or a completely different name.

What are the Qualifications for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program

Age Requirements

There are no age requirements to be eligible for the LIHEAP program. However, priority is given to a household that includes individuals over 60 years old.

Disabilities / Health Requirements

There are no health or disability requirements to be eligible for the LIHEAP program. However, families whose finances are stretched as a result of a disability may have a better chance of acceptance into the program.

Family Status

There is no family status requirement to be eligible for the LIHEAP program. Additional members living in the household will increase the financial limits for eligibility.

Financial Status Requirements

The Federal government establishes an acceptable income range for LIHEAP which for most states is between 110% - 200% of the federal poverty level. States may choose to set their own limits anywhere within that range. In 2012 - 2013, 150% of the poverty level for an individual is $16,755 for a couple is 22,695. A few states may also layer on additional requirements such as the applicant’s available assets.

2012 - 2013 LIHEAP State Income Eligibility Limits
State	Income	State	Income
Alabama	150% of FPL $16,755	Missouri	135% of FPL $14,701
Alaska	150% of FPL $16,755	Montana	60% of MSI $20,617
Arizona	60% of MSI $21,565	Nebraska	116% of FPL $12,632l
Arkansas	60% of MSI $17,540	Nevada	110% of FPL $11,979
California	60% of MSI $24,544	New Hampshire	125% of FPL $13,613
Colorado	150% of FPL $16,755	New Jersey	200% of FPL $21,780
Connecticut	200% of FPL $21,780	New Mexico	150% of FPL $16,755
Delaware	200% of FPL $21,780	New York	60% of MSI Or 150% of FPL $16,335
D.C.	60% of MSI $21,702	North Carolina	130% of FPL $14,157 Crisis: 150% of FPL $16,755
Florida	150% of FPL $16,755	North Dakota	60% of MSI $23,143
Georgia	60% of MSI $21,499	Ohio	200% of FPL $21,780
Hawaii	150% of FPL $16,755	Oklahoma	110% of FPL $10,890
Idaho	150% of FPL $16,755	Oregon	60% of MSI $22,493
Illinois	150% of FPL $16,755	Pennsylvania	160% of FPL $17,424
Indiana	150% of FPL $16,755	Rhode Island	60% of MSI $27,353
Iowa	150% of FPL $16,755	South Carolina	150% of FPL $16,755
Kansas	130% of FPL $14,157	South Dakota	160% of FPL 17,424
Kentucky	130% of FPL $14,157	Tennessee	150% of FPL $16,755
Louisiana	60% of MSI $20,626	Texas	125% of FPL $13,613
Maine	60% of MSI $16,335	Utah	150% of FPL $16,755
Maryland	175% of FPL $19,058	Vermont	185% of FPL for heating $20,147 200% of FPL for cooling $21,780
Massachusetts	60% of MSI $31,218	Virginia	130% of FPL $14,157
Michigan	110% of FPL for heating $11,979 60% of SMI for Crisis $22,911	Washington	125% of FPL $13,613
Minnesota	50% of MSI $22,386	West Virginia	130% of FPL $14,157
Mississippi	60% of MSI $17,412	Wisconsin	60% of MSI $24,319
		Wyoming	60% of MSI $23,711

Veteran Status Requirements

A senior’s veteran status is not a factor in determining eligibility for the LIHEAP program.

Geographic Requirements

Individual applicants must be United States citizens or qualified aliens living in the U.S. to be eligible for LIHEAP. Applications are managed at the state level.

Other Requirements

A household's utility company must participate in the LIHEAP program. One should call one’s utility company to confirm participation and eligibility guidelines. Applicants must submit the following information along with the application form:

Recent copies of utility bills
Proof of income from Social Security, Payroll, Unemployment Insurance, Pension Funds, disability, etc
Proof of present address (e.g., rent receipt, lease or deed, property tax bill)
Social Security numbers for all persons living in household and proof of residency such as birth certificates or school records.
Proof of U.S. citizenship or permanent residence
For Emergency/Crisis assistance, the following additional documents are required:
Termination notice from the utility company showing shut-off date
Proof of heating emergency
A copy of the last bill for deliverable fuels
The red tag for furnace repairs or a complete description of the problem

What are the Benefits of Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program

Types of Benefit Payout

LIHEAP assistance is not a monthly benefit. Rather, it is a lump sum that is sent directly to a utility company or fuel dealer on behalf of the beneficiary/household. This is typically sent once per year, but may be sent in smaller amounts (in greater frequency) to allow the state to better manage its funds.

Restrictions on How Payout Can be Used

A LIHEAP benefit payment is made directly to the energy or utility service. Therefore, these benefits cannot be used for any other purpose.

Benefits Amounts & Limits

There are several factors that affect the size of grants including the number of people in the household, their income, the type of fuel used, and the size and type of home. The highest amount of assistance is given to those households with the lowest income and highest energy costs, taking into account the number of persons in the household.

The Regular Benefit amount is between $100 and $1,000 a year. The Emergency Benefit amount is between $25 and $300 a year.

Those eligible for the Special Reduced Residential Service Rate Program would benefit from an additional 20% off their electric and/or gas bills. This could save an additional $1,000 a year for a typical household.

Time to Receive Benefits

The approval process for the Regular Benefit is 30 days. Payments are made within 15 days of approval. Emergency Services applications are approved within 48 hours.

This Source Can Help For

Reducing the energy costs of a household only.

Costs of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program

There is no cost to apply for the LIHEAP program. Those requiring assistance with the application should contact their Social Service Office.

How to Apply for Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program

Different states accept applications at different times of year depending on the type of assistance; heating, cooling or crisis. As many states offer the LIHEAP benefits on a first come-first serve basis and funds are usually exhausted; it is greatly advantageous to apply as soon as possible after the acceptance date. Some states allow households which include a person over the age of 60, to apply a month in advance. The starting LIHEAP application filing dates for each state for each type of assistance are included in the table below.

2012 - 2013 LIHEAP Application Filing Dates
	Income	Heating Filing Date	Cooling Filing Dates	Crisis Filing Dates
Alabama	150% of FPL $16,755	Oct 1 - May 31	June 1 - Sep 30	Year-round
Alaska	150% of FPL $16,755	Sept 1 - April 30		Oct 1 - April 30
Arizona	60% of MSI $21,565		Year round
Arkansas	60% of MSI $17,540	Year round		Year round
California	60% of MSI $24,544	Year round		Year round
Colorado	150% of FPL $16,755	Nov 1 - April 30		Nov 1 - April 30
Connecticut	200% of FPL $21,780	Nov 15 – May 1		Nov 15 – May 1
Delaware	200% of FPL $21,780	Oct 1 – Mar 31	May 1 - Sep15	Jan 3 - March 30
D.C.	60% of MSI $21,702	Year-round	Year-round	Year-round
Florida	150% of FPL $16,755	Year-round	Year-round	Year-round
Georgia	60% of MSI $21,499	Nov 1	August 3	Dec 1
Hawaii	150% of FPL $16,755	June 1 - June 30		June 1 - June 30
Idaho	150% of FPL $16,755	Nov 1 - Mar 31		Year-round
Illinois	150% of FPL $16,755	Sep 1 – Mar 30		Oct 1 - May 31
Indiana	150% of FPL $16,755	Nov 1 – May 15	June 4 – Aug 31	Nov 1 – May 15
Iowa	150% of FPL $16,755	Oct 1 – April 30		Year-round
Kansas	130% of FPL $14,157	Jan 13 - Mar 30		Jan 13 - March 30
Kentucky	130% of FPL $14,157	Nov 7 - Dec 16		Jan 4 - March 31
Louisiana	60% of MSI $20,626	Oct 1 - Mar 31	April 1 - Sep 30	Year-round
Maine	60% of MSI $16,335	Oct 1 - April 30		Nov 1 -March 31
Maryland	175% of FPL $19,058	July 1 - Mar 21		Nov 16 - March 31
Massachusetts	60% of MSI $31,218	Nov 1 - April 30		Nov 1 - April 30
Michigan	110% of FPL for heating $11,979 60% of SMI for Crisis $22,911	Year-round		Year-round
Minnesota	50% of MSI $22,386	Oct 3 - May 31		Oct 3 - June 30
Mississippi	60% of MSI $17,412	Oct 1 - April 30	May 1 - Sep 30	Year-round
Missouri	135% of FPL $14,701	Oct 1 - Mar 31	June 1 - Sep 30	Year-round
Montana	60% of MSI $20,617	Oct 1 - June 30		Year-round
Nebraska	116% of FPL $12,632l	Year-round	Year-round	Year-round
Nevada	110% of FPL $11,979	Year-round	Year-round	Year-round
New Hampshire	125% of FPL $13,613	Year-round		Year-round
New Jersey	200% of FPL $21,780	Nov 1- Apr 30	Nov 1- April 30	Nov 1- April 30
New Mexico	150% of FPL $16,755	Oct 1 - Aug 31	Oct 1 - Aug 31	Oct 1 - Aug31
New York	60% of MSI Or 150% of FPL $16,335	Nov 16 - Mar 16		Jan 3 - March 16
North Carolina	130% of FPL $14,157 Crisis: 150% of FPL $16,755	Dec 1 – Jan 31	Year-round	Year-round
North Dakota	60% of MSI $23,143	Oct 1 - May 31		Year-round
Ohio	200% of FPL $21,780	Aug 1 - May 31		Nov 3 - March 31
Oklahoma	110% of FPL $10,890	Dec 1 - Dec 22	July 18 - Aug 15	Year-round
Oregon	60% of MSI $22,493	Oct 1 - June 30		Year-round
Pennsylvania	160% of FPL $17,424	Nov 1 - April 13		Jan 3 - April 13
Rhode Island	60% of MSI $27,353	Oct 1 - April 15		Year-round
South Carolina	150% of FPL $16,755	Year-round	Year-round	Year-round
South Dakota	160% of FPL 17,424	Oct 1 - Mar 15		Oct 1 - March 31
Tennessee	150% of FPL $16,755	Year-round	Year-round	Year-round
Texas	125% of FPL $13,613	Year-round	March - Nov	Year-round
Utah	150% of FPL $16,755	Nov 1 - April 30		Year-round
Vermont	185% of FPL for heating $20,147 200% of FPL for cooling $21,780	July 6 – Feb 28		Nov 28 - April 30
Virginia	130% of FPL $14,157	Oct 1 - Nov 14	Jun 27 - Aug 15	Nov 1 - March 15
Washington	125% of FPL $13,613	Year-round	Year-round	Year-round
West Virginia	130% of FPL $14,157	Jan 17 - 27		Mar 19 - funds spent
Wisconsin	60% of MSI $24,319	Oct 3 – May 15		Year-round
Wyoming	60% of MSI $23,711	Oct 1 - Feb 29		Oct 1 - April 15

Each state has its own form and procedures for applying for energy assistance. The following states have applications available for download online:

Alternatively, applications can be mailed to a home address by the respective State LIHEAP agency or the county social service office. LIHEAP Contact information and applications can be found here

Persons requiring assistance with the application can visit their respective county social service office. Homebound applicants can request a home visit by local agency staff.

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