What Is The Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)?

Health Reference/ Government Resource

I am extremely fortunate t a live in climate that summers are usually not too sizzling and winters are or too cold.

However, if you reside in a cold climate, energy costs can be costly. If you struggle to pay your energy bill then the Federal Program LIHEAP may be able to help you.

What is the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)?

The LIHEAP program is a Federal program that helps keep families safe through assisted programs that offset energy costs.

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program is a federally funded assistance program that provides assistance in management of costs associated with:

• Weather proof your home and other energy-related minor home repairs
• Energy bills
• Energy crises

If you can not  afford to pay your home energy bills your home may not be safe. An unsafe home can place you at risk of serious illness or injury. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) may be able to help keep you and your family safe.

The LIHEAP program was designed to help low-income consumers stay warm in the winter months and cool throughout the summer.

The intent of the LIHEAP Programs are to reduce the risk of health and safety problems that may occur throughout the year.

The supply of energy assistance is of high importance if  someone in your home is elderly, disabled or a young child under 6 years old. The elderly people, disabled people and young individuals  are especially at risk for life threatening illness or death if their home is extremely cold in the winter or excessively hot in the summer.

This January 21, 2015, ACF awarded approximately $300 million to states, tribes and territories in LIHEAP funding available under the Consolidated and Further Continuation Appropriations Act, 2015 (Public Law 113-235).

The LIHEAP program may still have funds available to you.

If you receive LIHEAP funds you the funds are not considered to be income or resources under federal or state law. 

The LIHEAP statute says that LIHEAP benefits cannot be considered income or resources for any purpose under state or federal law, including taxation. So, if you receive LIHEAP benefits the funds are not taxable. It does not make any difference whether the funds go directly to the household or to a vendor on behalf of a household.

LIHEAP program is designed as a safety net for low income people. Hopefully, the individuals that truly need the support of LIHEAP will find assistance.

Click Here to Learn About and Apply for the LIHEAP Program.

You can find out about more Government Resource at HypoGal Blog and Government Resources. 

Health Reference/ Resources:

 http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ocs/resource/professional-frequently-asked-questions

http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ocs/liheap-state-and-territory-contact-listing