Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program

HOW CAN THIS PROGRAM HELP MY FAMILY?
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program provides a one-time utility payment on behalf of qualified households.  Forms of assistance available include: financial assistance towards a household’s heating energy bill and emergency assistance if a household’s home energy service is shut off or about to be shut off.

WHO CAN QUALIFY FOR LOW INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE?
Households whose prior three-month income is below 150% of FPL meet the income qualification for this program.  The income guidelines for this program can be found here.

To apply for services or to determine eligibility for LIHEAP, contact the agency providing this program in your area.  For contact information, click here.

WHEN IS THE PROGRAM AVAILABLE?
Currently the program is available November 1 through March 31, depending on funding availability. Crisis Funding may be available outside of this time period.

WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING WHEN I APPLY FOR THIS PROGRAM?
The following are examples of documents that applicants must provide at the time of application:

  • Names/birthdates for all household members
  • Social Security numbers for all household members
  • Heating Energy Vendor Name/Account number (utility bill)
  • Verification of residence address (utility bill)
  • Income verification for the previous 3 months (check stubs, SS/SSI award letters, etc).

Please inquire with your local agency for any additional documentation that may be required at the time of application.

WHAT IS THE MISSION OF THE LOW INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM?

The mission of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is to assist low income households, particularly those with the lowest incomes that pay a high proportion of household income for home energy, in meeting their immediate home energy needs.

LIHEAP provides funding to help low income households make home heating more affordable, avoid disconnection of utility services during the winter, and maintain a warm, safe, and healthy environment for households with young children, the elderly, and the disabled. LIHEAP has been providing assistance to Idaho households since 1982.

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