Program Description
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), a program funded by the Federal Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) helps low-income residents meet their home energy needs, and provides emergency assistance to households whose electric or gas services have been terminated or households that are without fuel oil and have been denied fuel oil delivery. The amount of assistance is based on household size, total household income, fuel type, and type of residence. LIHEAP is a national program funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. LIHEAP makes home energy bills more affordable. It is the last line of protection against escalating home utility bills and the resulting disconnection or denial of service. Each year between 12,000 and 14,000 low income District of Columbia residents are provided energy assistance through LIHEAP. In addition to the financial assistance afforded to these eligible applicants, LIHEAP also provides fans during deadly summer heat waves and heaters and blankets during the cold season.
General Program Requirements
In order to qualify for this benefit program, you must be a resident of the District of Columbia, you must need financial assistance for home energy costs and your household's annual income before taxes must not exceed $20,180 if one person lives in the household; $26,389 if two people live in the household; $32,598 if three people live in the household; $38,807 if four people live in the household; $45,016 if five people live in the household; $51,225 if six people live in the household; $57,434 if seven people live in the household, or $63,643 if eight people live in the household. For larger households, add $6,209 for each additional person in the home.
Your Next Steps
The following information will lead you to the next steps to apply for this benefit.
Application Process
Applying for assistance is done primarily by calling the DC Energy Office (DCEO) hotline and scheduling an appointment for intake at the DCEO. Call us at:
202-673-6750.
Program Contact Information
In addition to that main method of receiving LIHEAP applications,
many more are taken at senior sites which the LIHEAP staff schedule to visit
during late summer months each year. Still others are received at the annual
Utility Discount Day program. This event includes various utility companies
and the DCEO in a coordinated joint effort at the D.C. Convention Center, to
accept applications both for their individual discount programs as well as
for the LIHEAP, all on one application form.
For more information on LIHEAP in the District of Columbia, or to
learn about the DC Energy Office, visit us online at:
http://ddoe.dc.gov/liheap
