LIHEAP Resource Guide for Finding Energy Assistance

Where can I apply for help with my utility or fuel bills? How can I locate the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) program where I live?

We do not maintain local energy assistance information at the Federal level. Please contact the agency that administers the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) in your State. You can find that information through our LIHEAP State Directory at: /programs/ocs/help

Each Directory includes: LIHEAP coordinator's name, address, and telephone number, and if available:

the LIHEAP program's e-mail address,

public inquiry telephone numbers, many of which are in-state, toll-free telephone numbers, and

LIHEAP grantee web sites. In most states, the program is administered locally by Departments of Social Services and/or nonprofit organizations such as Community Action Agencies and Area Agencies on Aging.

Your LIHEAP agency also may be able to direct you to other community resources for which you might qualify for help with your home energy bills. If you are a Tribal member, but your Tribe or Tribal organization is not on the list, it means that you should apply to the state program for help.

Where can I apply for help from the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)? How do I get in touch with someone to find out if I'm eligible?

You will need to check with your State LIHEAP office. We have a directory of State LIHEAP agencies on our web site. After clicking on the page below, click on the name of your State to find out who to contact. Please go to the state directory at: /programs/ocs/help

Do you know of any State that accepts applications for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) through the Internet?

Each State decides whether it can make available LIHEAP applications through the Internet. There is no Federal requirement for a State to do so. We do support State efforts to overcome barriers for the public to apply for assistance.

Almost 20 States make available their LIHEAP applications through the Internet. Some of these States allow for downloading of the LIHEAP applications. Other States provide for LIHEAP applications to be completed online for certain types of households. For more information go to: http://liheap.ncat.org/admin.htm#applications

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

LIHEAP is a Federal program that helps low income households pay for heating and/or cooling their homes.

In particular, LIHEAP seeks to make home energy more affordable for two groups of low income households that have the highest home energy needs:

vulnerable households which include frail older individuals, individuals with disabilities, and very young children. These households face serious health risks if they do not have adequate heating or cooling in their homes.

high energy burden households which include those households with the lowest incomes and highest home energy costs. These households face safety risks in trying to heat or cool their homes if they cannot pay their heating or cooling fuel bills.

Consequently, households with the highest home energy needs are more likely to face health and safety risks.

What is the Federal energy assistance program called? How do I find, locate the local energy assistance program in the phone book?

The program may or may not be called "LIHEAP" or Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. In a number of States, it is called HEAP (Home Energy Assistance Program). Other States use other variations of the federal program name or a completely different name.

To find the name of your state's energy assistance program, click on the name of your State when you go our Directory of State LIHEAP agencies at: /programs/ocs/help

In most States, there is a heating or cooling assistance and home energy crisis assistance, which also may have different program names. A number of States may also offer weatherization services.

In addition, there may be other programs operated by your LIHEAP agency, local utility company, or local charity to help pay for

your home heating and/or cooling costs. Your LIHEAP grantee also may be able to direct you to other community resources for which you might qualify for help with your home energy bills.

If you are a tribal member, go to our Directory of Tribal LIHEAP agencies at: /programs/ocs/help

If your Tribe or Tribal organization is not listed in the Directory, you should apply to the state program for help.

Does the Federal government provide funds directly to families? Do I apply to the Federal government directly to receive assistance?

The Federal government does not provide energy assistance directly to the public. We provide money to our LIHEAP grantees: States, Indian tribes, and Insular Areas. We do not have forms for applying for LIHEAP assistance. We do not take applications for LIHEAP assistance.

Unlike some Federal programs, each State has its own form and procedures for applying for energy assistance. Our Federal website has a directory of state LIHEAP agencies. After clicking on the page below, click on the name of your state to find out who to contact. Please go to the State LIHEAP Directory at: /programs/ocs/help

You may also see listed for your State its energy assistance web site. Visit the State's web site which may have your State's application on-line.