September 28, 2010
If you need assistance with your energy bills, LIHEAP may be able to help. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP, was created to assist low income households, particularly those with the lowest incomes that pay a high proportion of household income for home energy.
Qualified households must meet the following eligibility criteria in order to apply for energy assistance:
- $21,458 for a one-person household
- $28,061 for a two-person household
- $34,663 for a three-person household
- $41,266 for a four-person household
- $47,868 for a five-person household
- $54,471 for a six-person household
- $55,709 for a seven-person household
- $56,947 for an eight-person household
-For households with nine or more persons, add $1,238 for each additional family member.
How To Apply
On November 1, 2010, qualified seniors 65 years of age and older can apply for LIHEAP assistance. LIHEAP will be open for qualified applicants under 65 years of age on December 1, 2010. LIHEAP assistance will be given on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are depleted. You may apply for LIHEAP heating assistance at your local Community Action Agency. You must bring:
- Proof of income for all household members for the past 30 days
- Proof of Social Security number for each person in the household
- Your last month’s heating bill for the household
- Proof of citizenship or legal immigrant status.
Remember: for safety reasons, it is important that you not try to heat or cool your home yourself by unsafe methods, including fireplaces, stoves, improperly vented portable heaters or barbecue grills. These methods are not only fire hazards, but also create the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
For more information on LIHEAP and other issues related to your utilities, please contact Outreach Director Ashley Wilson at (404) 525-1085 x 13 or awilson@georgiawatch.org