LIHEAP utility payments: Everything you need to know about getting help to cover cooling bills
Rachel Schilke
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Residents who struggle to keep their homes cool during the summer months can apply for their state’s Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program.
The federally funded LIHEAP assists eligible people across the country with fuel and cooling costs, as well as avoiding disconnection. It also aids those facing an emergency situation relating to heating equipment or bills.
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Recipients are typically those who pay a high proportion of household income on home energy costs, and LIHEAP helps them meet their home energy needs.
Applications open at varying dates depending on the state or territory, and some either offer cooling assistance year-round or not at all.
These are the states/territories that have cooling applications open year-round:
American Samoa Arizona California District of Columbia Florida Mariana Islands Missouri Nevada New Mexico North Dakota Oregon Tennessee Texas Utah West Virginia
These states do not offer cooling assistance programs:
Alaska Colorado Connecticut Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Maine Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Montana New Hampshire North Carolina Ohio Pennsylvania Rhode Island Vermont Washington Wisconsin Wyoming
For the remaining states, most cooling applications open as early as March 1 and close as late as Sept. 30. In New Jersey, applications are open from Oct. 1 to June 30, with residents receiving payments from May through August. Aspiring applications can look at the LIHEAP section on the website of the Department of Health and Human Services for additional information.
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LIHEAP payments can be used for purchasing, installing, or repairing air conditioning units or heat pumps, as well as for paying electric bills or security deposits for operating cooling equipment. Direct payment amounts vary based on state as well.
The lowest minimum LIHEAP payment for cooling is $1 in Delaware, and the highest maximum payment is $2,213 in Maryland. Applicants can look at the LIHEAP benefits website for a breakdown of payment by state.