Heating Oil Assistance and How You Can Get It
(image: acf.hhs.gov)
by Joanne Eglash
If a rough economy and a brutal winter have left you struggling to heat your home, it’s time to become acquainted with the government’s Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). This program is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families. In that capacity, LIHEAP focuses on helping low income households to meet their immediate home energy needs.
Meeting the Criteria
To apply for and receive this type of government assistance, it’s important to understand the requirements. The LIHEAP site specifies that the program is designed for low-income households that currently use a large percentage of their income for their immediate home energy needs. Also eligible are low-income households who have someone in the “vulnerable” category, which includes individuals who are disabled, older and frail, and/or children.
Although LIHEAP is federally funded, the actual implementation takes place within each state, as well as within tribal and insular area levels. To learn more details about the criteria and who to contact, check with your local state government.
(image: liheap.ncat.org)
The LIHEAP Clearinghouse website, an Internet information service for state, tribal and local LIHEAP providers, also provides general information for those who want to learn more about low-income energy issues. It has been operated since 1988 by the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration for Children and Families, Office of Community Services, Division of Energy Assistance.
The Clearinghouse collects low-income energy resources (such as the state, tribal, and territorial LIHEAP grantees and fuel funds) and distributes them to utility regulatory commissions, community action agencies, government offices, and other administrative entities. In addition, the Clearinghouse offers information to help with the delivery of low-income energy services and benefits to those who need it.
At the Clearinghouse, you can locate energy profiles for each state, listed individually. Also available are details on how the states differ in their methods for selecting the appropriate agency or organization to administer the LIHEAP programs.
The National Conference of State Legislatures has a continuing resolution (CR) covering LIHEAP funding. Their statistics show that it’s not just loose change available: A total of $5.1 billion was appropriated to the LIHEAP program under the FY 2009 CR, with a similar amount anticipated for 2010.
Although the regular grant program is identical in amount for each state, contingency funds are managed differently. Every state shares in a portion of the contingency release, which in 2008 were allocated to the states “to enable them to help low income households cope with the anticipated high costs for fuel this winter, particularly for those States that are hugely dependent on heating oil,” according to the National Conference of State Legislatures website. In addition, additional funds are given to those states in which 30 percent or more of low-income households use heating oil for heat. In 2008, seven states qualified for those additional funds: Alaska, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont.
Maine’s Congressional Delegation Protests Changes in LIHEAP Funding | HeatingOil.com says: says:
[...] that criticized the Obama administration for proposing a $1.8 billion cut in funds for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and for slashing Maine’s allotment of this year’s LIHEAP money by nearly 80 percent. Other [...]
Patchwork Of Organizations Strain To Provide Heating Assistance To Needy In Northeast | HeatingOil.com says: says:
[...] not everyone qualifies for LIHEAP assistance. As we’ve written, the program has income-related criteria to determine eligibility. Since the program is administered on a state-by-state basis, the [...]
New England Senators Call for Extra Heating Assistance Funds | HeatingOil.com says: says:
[...] New Hampshire and Maine—are seeking $590 million in assistance through the government’s Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). (LIHEAP, which is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, helps low-income [...]
Heating Cutoffs Can Have Tragic Consequences | HeatingOil.com says: says:
[...] combination of tough economic times and harsh winter weather has resulted in a flood of LIHEAP requests. On Friday, HeatingOil.com reported that Americans from many parts of the country are struggling to [...]
From Pennsylvania to Alabama, Residents Seek Heating Assistance | HeatingOil.com says: says:
[...] of the heating assistance addressed in these reports refers to the federal program known as the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). A part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and [...]
Schumer Wants LIHEAP Contingency Money Released | HeatingOil.com says: says:
[...] Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) is urging President Obama to release millions of dollars from a contingency fund set up to help deal with unexpected higher demand for energy assistance, an article on LoHud.com reported on Thursday. While addressing a group at the J. Edward Fox Senior Center in Mount Kisco, Schumer said that Obama should release $590 million from a fund that is part of the $5.1 billion appropriation for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP. [...]
Senator Gillibrand of NY Calls for More Applicants for Heating Assistance | HeatingOil.com says: says:
[...] recession has led many people to apply to LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) for the first time. Vermont’s program could assist record numbers of people, Ohio adjusted its [...]
Ohio to Offer Heating Assistance to More Residents this Winter | HeatingOil.com says: says:
[...] income qualifications. If you’re struggling with heating oil bills this season, it’s best to familiarize yourself with the program and consider inexpensive, DIY home projects such as weather stripping that will [...]
Kentucky Heating Oil Assistance Available Nov. 1 | HeatingOil.com says: says:
[...] applications for heating assistance through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). LIHEAP is a federal program administered by the states, and in Kentucky is sponsored by the Kentucky [...]
Under Troubled Economy, Many Will Need Heating Oil Assistance–How to Apply in Your State | HeatingOil.com says: says:
[...] last year, the dismal economy is forcing record numbers of people throughout the Northeast to seek heating oil assistance. State and local assistance agencies in areas such as Essex County, NY and Western Mass. have [...]
Western Mass. Sees Increase in Applications for Heating Oil Help | HeatingOil.com says: says:
[...] the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP, low-income households received a maximum benefit of $1,500 last year. Congress is expected to give [...]