Welfare Programs: How to get help with your Electric Bills?

Energy costs have been skyrocketing across the United States over the course of 2022. A big cause for the spike in prices is Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the sanctions imposed on Russian crude oil imports following the war.

With the cost of gas of going up, the cost of living across states have been linearly affected, leading to the current energy costs, that are starting to exact a toll on low income households.

Fortunately, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), is designed to help those who are most at risk pay their energy bills.

What is LIHEAP?

According to the Administration for Children and Families website, The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) initiative has been designed to help low-income families with their energy expenses.

“The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps keep families safe and healthy through initiatives that assist families with energy costs. LIHEAP provides federally funded assistance to reduce the costs associated with home energy bills, energy crises, weatherization, and minor energy-related home repairs,” a boldly written statement on the website reads.

According to the USA Gov website, LIHEAP is designed to primarily target three issues:

  • Assistance to pay your heating or cooling bills;
  • Emergency services in cases of energy crisis, such as utility shutoffs;
  • Low-cost home improvements, known as weatherization, that make your home more energy efficient and lower your utility bills.

LIHEAP Eligibility

While the actual eligibility criteria might vary from state to state the following:

  • Individuals may not make over 20,385 dollars with 7,080 dollars being added to additional members in each particular household.
  • Individuals and or households participating in benefit programs, such as SNAP, SSI, TANF, may also be automatically eligible to receive LIHEAP support.

How to register to LIHEAP

Each state has a different process for applying for LIHEAP, and you best course of action to take advantage of this initiative is to contact your local LIHEAP office.


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