Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program

WHAT IS THE LOW INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM?

The mission of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is to assist low income households, particularly those with the lowest incomes that pay a high proportion of household income for home energy, in meeting their immediate home energy needs.

LIHEAP provides funding to help low income households make home heating more affordable, avoid disconnection of utility services during the winter, and maintain a warm, safe, and healthy environment for households with young children, the elderly, and the disabled. LIHEAP has been providing assistance to Idaho households since 1982.

WHO CAN ADMINISTER THE FUNDING?
All fifty States, the District of Columbia, five territories, and about 140 Tribes and Tribal organizations receive LIHEAP grants each year. State and Federally recognized Tribes (including Alaska native villages) may apply for direct LIHEAP funding.

WHO CAN APPLY FOR THIS PROGRAM?
The authorization provides that an eligible household’s income must not exceed the greater of 150 percent of the poverty level or 60 percent of the State median income (In FY 2009, 75 percent of the State median income). Grantees may not set income eligibility standards below 110 percent of the poverty level, but they may give priority to those households with the highest home energy costs or needs in relation to income.  Idaho considers household incomes at or below 60% of Estimated State Median eligible for this program.

WHAT ASSISTANCE IS AVAILABLE?
Forms of assistance available include: financial assistance towards a household’s energy bill, emergency assistance if a household’s home energy service is shut off or about to be shut off.

APPLYING FOR SERVICES:
To apply for services or to determine eligibility for LIHEAP, contact the Community Action Partnership in your area. To locate your Local Community Action Partnership, click this link: Community Action Partnership

PROGRAM AVAILABILITY:
Currently the program is available November 1 through March 31, depending on funding availability. Crisis Funding may be available outside of this time period. Two year round pilot projects will begin in April 2010. Pilot project agencies will continue to take LIHEAP applications until the available funding is exhausted. The agencies are located Idaho Falls (Eastern Idaho Community Action Partnership) and Lewiston (Community Action Partnership).

INFORMATION REQUIRED TO APPLY FOR LIHEAP:
The following are examples of documents that applicants must provide at the time of application:

  • Names/birthdates for all household members
  • Social Security numbers for all household members
  • Heating Energy Vendor Name/Account number (utility bill)
  • Verification of residence address (utility bill)
  • Income verification for the previous 3 months (check stubs, SS/SSI award letters, etc).

Please inquire with your local Community Action Partnership as to any additional documentation that may be required at the time of application.

CONTACT INFORMATION & WEB LINKS