Households in the United States spend around $290 per month on utilities like electricity, water, and gas. The costs keep increasing yearly, reducing the purchasing power of low-income households.
The federal government launched the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to help financially disadvantaged families. The program settles a percentage of beneficiaries’ energy bills, helping financially disadvantaged citizens cool, heat, and light their homes with ease.

This post has evaluated the financial aid program to help you apply for the benefits, just in case you have trouble settling your home’s energy bills.

What is LIHEAP Energy Assistance?

The federal government established the LIHEAP energy assistance program in 1981 to help financially disadvantaged citizens heat, light, and cool their homes with ease. Though it is a national government project, LIHEAP is administered by state agencies.

Typically, LIHEAP offers weatherization assistance and settles energy bills on behalf of beneficiaries. Furthermore, the program chips in during emergencies to help citizens fix broken systems or get lost power connection.

For emergencies, LIHEAP provides one-time assistance to the affected citizens. However, low-income households can receive continuous support as long as they meet the eligibility criteria set by state agencies.

LIHEAP payments go to the utility companies on behalf of the beneficiary— meaning that the money does not get into your bank. Nonetheless, the agencies handling LIHEAP energy assistance will let you know the amount awarded.

Who does LIHEAP Energy Assistance Help?

The LIHEAP program helps unfortunate citizens struggling to pay for the energy needed to heat, light, or cool their homes. The beneficiaries could face an emergency crisis, generate low monthly income, or spend more on energy bills. The ideal candidates for this program are:

Low-Income Families with Kids or Senior Citizens

When allocating LIHEAP, states prioritize low-income families with vulnerable individuals, including senior citizens, young kids, and people living with a disability. Such families get the upper hand since they already have the financial burden of providing for the less-productive family members.

Households With the Lowest Monthly Income

While every low-income household qualifies for LIHEAP funding, states prioritize those with the lowest income. States define families with the most insufficient income as those whose annual income does not surpass 60 percent of a state’s median income. Each state has specific parameters defining low-income homes.

Households With High Energy Bills

Apart from low-income families, state agencies prioritize families with high energy costs when awarding LIHEAP energy assistance. Such families use more than 10 percent of their monthly income for utility companies.

Households Facing an Energy Crisis

LIHEAP does not only support households with a financial burden. But it also supports those facing an energy crisis resulting from bad weather and other disasters. The financial support programs help affected citizens fix their broken heating & cooling equipment, as well as restore disconnected power.

How to Apply for LIHEAP Energy Assistance

LIHEAP beneficiaries can apply online or by mail. To apply online, find your state’s online portal for LIHEAP application, fill out the online application with the correct information, and upload the duly filled form.

If you cannot apply online, download and print the LIHEAP application form. Fill out the printed LIHEAP application form, and send it to your state’s contracted agency through the mail or deliver the application form in person.

Once you submit the application, LIHEAP reviews and responds within 30 working days. However, if it is an emergency, the state agency handling LIHEAP funds could respond as early as possible. The agencies send an email or letter approving or rejecting your application.

Learn More About LIHEAP Energy Assistance

LIHEAP energy assistance helps settle the energy bills of low-income families that cannot afford to pay energy bills comfortably. The program also chips in when citizens find it hard to get energy for heating or cooling due to disasters. Get in touch to learn more about LIHEAP eligibility, application, benefits, and other information.

Click here to learn more or apply >> LIHEAP Energy Assistance