Information About Energy Assistance Programs

Senior citizens and low income families may qualify for certain energy assistance programs from the federal government and/or local energy companies. Through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) was created. The program assists low income households in meeting their immediate home energy needs. Also an energy loan is another viable alternative for folks that need help with their energy bills.

Energy assistance through LIHEAP is distributed in a variety of ways. States, territories and Indian tribes and tribal organizations wishing to offer energy assistance to low income households may apply for a LIHEAP block grant. Funds are distributed based on the weather and low income population of the state, territory or tribe. In meeting the immediate home energy needs, “home energy” is defined as a source of residential heating or cooling.

Through the Leveraging Incentive Program the law also authorizes supplemental LIHEAP funding for grant recipients that acquire non-federal leveraged resources for their LIHEAP programs in the preceding fiscal year. The Residential Energy Assistance Challenge Program (REACH) authorizes supplemental LIHEAP funding for grant recipients to receive additional grants for implementation. This is done through local community-based agencies that assist LIHEAP eligible households in reducing their exposure to high energy costs.

Contingency funds may be made available to LIHEAP eligible households by the President. The President may release these funds during emergency situations and may be allocated to one or more block grant recipients based on the nature of the emergency. Typically these contingency funds are released in response to extreme weather conditions or energy price increases.
In order to be considered eligible for federal energy assistance programs household income must be lower than 150% of the poverty level or 60% of the State median income. States, territories and tribes that receive grant funding may give priority to those households with the highest energy costs of needs in relation to income. LIHEAP grants are awarded to all fifty States, the District of Columbia, five territories, and about 140 Tribes and Tribal organizations receive each year.

Most utility companies also have programs in place to assist senior citizens and low income households in meeting their energy cost needs. Information on energy assistance in your service area can be found by contacting your energy provider. Many communities also have non-profit charitable organization that offer emergency assistance to families and individuals seeking assistance in paying energy costs. Programs also exist for assisting low income households and senior citizens in making home improvements that will reduce utility bills by improving household energy efficiency.