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Scorching temperatures cause a reaction to having people crank up their air conditioning to keep the environment cool and comfortable while the same goes for the coldest days that come through and using a heater to keep the house warm.
Both actions lead to the necessity of having an HVAC system in homes to make things more convenient, but some families don’t have the luxury to afford that kind of privilege.
Another resort would lead people to use portable space heaters that you can buy at your local retailer or portable fans and window A/C units that can be installed into your window if it's compatible, and even then, you’re still having to use the energy that powers your residence.
With the frequent usage of either cooling down your home or keeping it warm, energy bills tend to skyrocket and some families may need assistance to stay afloat during times of inflation, a financial crisis, and other stressful responsibilities.
That being said, there is the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) that can help reduce the bill as much as you can through financial assistance provided to those who fit the eligibility criteria.
Read through to learn more about LIHEAP.
What is LIHEAP?
If you find yourself in need of some help with paying off your energy bill due to the necessity of using frequent cooling or warming of your home, then the government-funded program known as LIHEAP can be a resource to research to see if you can be eligible for financial assistance for your energy necessities.
LIHEAP stands for Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program and the program provides financial assistance to eligible low-income households for cooling or heating costs, bill payment assistance, and more can be found on the government website.
LIHEAP Eligibility Requirements
Those eligible for LIHEAP must meet financial requirements that fit into the category of your respective household members. Typically, depending on how big your household is and how much your annual income is prior to taxes is the main factor of eligibility.
Additionally, if your household participates in any financial assistance programs such as SNAP, TANF, and SSI may be automatically eligible for LIHEAP.
How LIHEAP Works
Depending on your eligibility for LIHEAP and local state residence, your energy bill could potentially be fully paid for.
LIHEAP is a government program that assists low-income households in either paying off their energy bill or by providing additional funds to help pay them off.
Additionally, some states like California will help provide weatherization services for:
- Improved energy efficiency
- Health and Safety
For Further Details
To learn more about how you can apply for LIHEAP and what eligibility requirements may be applicable to your application, you can select from this map who your local state coordinator for LIHEAP is and how you can reach them.
More information can be found on your state’s website listed in the contact details provided by the LIHEAP map indicator.