Many people are struggling with their finances whether that be due to student debt, medical bills, housing costs, etc. This means that a lot of Americans are looking for help with these finance-crushing issues. That is when the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) can become a huge help. In fact, households can receive assistance benefits up to $1,270 annually!
How Do You Qualify for LIHEAP?
You may not realize it, but you may be able to automatically qualify for LIHEAP energy assistance! If you are currently enrolled in other assistance programs like Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) then you may be eligible for LIHEAP already. If you are not currently enrolled in any of these programs, then your household should be below 200% of the area’s median income level within the past thirty days. If you currently rent a unit where utilities like heat and/or electric are included, then your rent must be higher than 30% of your income. It is important to note that every state has their own program criteria so if you want to be sure you should contact your local assistance office where they can confirm your eligibility.
How to Apply for Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program?
The current LIHEAP application period ends on June 30th, 2021 or until funding is depleted, whichever happens first. You will want to submit your application at your local agency. The complete approval process can take up to 45 days. If approved, then you, or your utility company will receive grant funds. Your utility company will also be notified if your submitted application is approved!
Other Utility Assistance Opportunities Available
There are other utility assistance programs that help people like reconnection assistance, furnace assistance, and more depending on the help needed for the situation.
Reconnection service is designed to help emergency cases where disconnection will happen within a week without emergency intervention. Furnace assistance is offered until the end of April or until funds are gone. This program is meant for qualifying households that do not have a proper heat source and/or furnace in their home. A good rule of thumb for recipients of these assistance programs is that they may automatically qualify if they already receive LIHEAP energy assistance. It’s important to know that there is more than one affordable housing initiative program for the cost of utilities!
If you submit a qualifying application for these other assistance opportunities, then you will typically receive them within 48 hours of your completed application submission. You may see your benefits sooner if:
- The temperature at the time of submitting an application is below 32°F,
- Your household is not protected by specific local laws,
- Your household doesn’t have any other means available to get the help that these programs would provide. These assistance options are limited to only $1,000 annually per qualifying household.
Overall
There are many options available when it comes to finding utility cost assistance. You just need to know what to look for! If you want to see what local assistance options are available, then your first step is to visit or contact your local agency. From there, they can help you with any questions you may have as well as the application process!