According to U.S Census data, the United States is the Home of more than 19 million veterans which is about 6.4% of the nation’s adult population. Among them, there may be a lot of veterans who are going through financial challenges. Due to these financial difficulties, it might be difficult for them to pay their monthly bills hence they are looking for support to pay their bills. These bills also include the energy bills which come from the heating and cooling in the house. In order to support the low-income veterans government offers the LIHEAP energy assistance program for veterans which helps the veterans to decrease the cost of energy bills.
LIHEAP is a federally funded program initiated by the federal government and administered by the states throughout the country. LIHEAP program may be known by a different name in other states in some states it refers to Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP). The policy may be different in other states but the federal government makes it sure that every state offers some type of LIHEAP energy assistance program for veterans.
What is Energy Assistance Program for Veterans (LIHEAP)?
The United States is such a country that has got the world’s most extreme weather. There are some areas where the temperature extremes, which may be very cold or very hot. There are such places as Phoenix where the maximum temperature recorded is over 100 degrees in summer. And on the other side in the winter season in Maine temperatures are recorded around the teens or below zero. So In such cold or hot weather, it is very important to weatherize the home against the summer or winter months.
There are many citizens including veterans in the united states who can’t afford the energy bills. to support low income households the federal government initiated the LIHEAP low income energy assistance program to make sure every citizen must have the energy to keep their family warm or cool in extreme weather. Every year federal government supports millions of its citizens with the LIHEAP grants program. Its weatherization service provides helps in decreasing the cost of energy bills for low income people. This program covers heating and cooling energy costs, bill payment assistance, energy crisis assistance, weatherization, and energy-related home repairs.
How to Qualify for LIHEAP program?
To qualify for the program household must meet the LIHEAP qualification requirements. Applying candidates must present low income proofs on the basis of which your financial position will be analyzed. The next requirement is that the person who is going to apply for the LIHEAP program must be a permanent or legal immigrant of the United States.
furthermore, the thing here must be remembered that to be eligible, the total household income cannot exceed 150 percent of the Federal poverty income guidelines.
Here are the LIHEAP income requirements for 2022-2023
| Household Size | Annual | Monthly |
| 1 | $20,385 | $1,699 |
| 2 | $27,465 | $2,289 |
| 3 | $34,545 | $2,879 |
| 4 | $41,625 | $3,469 |
| 5 | $48,705 | $4,059 |
| 6 | $55,785 | $4,649 |
| 7 | $62,865 | $5,239 |
| 8 | $69,945 | $5,829 |
| 9 | $77,025 | $6,419 |
| 10 | $84,105 | $7,009 |
| For each additional person, add: $7,080 |
Above mention chart shows how much grants will be received by the household is depend upon the number of dependent children that they have plus their income level. If applying person is a disabled person then he will get the preference same as the case if you have elderly, and/or young children.
Additional LIHEAP Information
There is a limited budget for the LIHEAP program and is the grant amount offers on the basis of first come, first serve basis. Each states has its own policy regarding the LIHEAP grant program. In some states where the weather are so hot they open application windows only for summer on the other side where there is cool weather they accept an application for only the winter season. There are also some states which have two application windows for both seasons.
Once the household qualified for the LIHEAP energy assistance grants for veterans, the grant amount will be received in the account. Some states provide the grant amount once a year but other give more assistance, it depend on the geographic location.
How do I apply for this program?
Once you have met the qualifying requirements, you can now apply for the LIHEAP program. To make it easy for the household states located at different points in all the cities. To apply, first, you have to find out the nearest LIHEAP service office, or local community action office and meet the service officer who will guide you accordingly. you can apply for energy assistance online.
To apply, you can speak to the service officer of LIHEAP at NEAR Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m.- 5 p.m. (Mountain Time).
You can:
- Call the toll-free phone number at: 1-866-674-6327
- send an e-mail to: energy@ncat.org
- or you can contact your State’s LIHEAP office or at the energy assistance program phone number
To apply, click here.
Notice: The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) does not provide direct grants to consumer; LIHEAP does not charge any fee for benefits. Please beaware, and if you got any message from unknown sources offering you a LIHEAP grant or requesting a fee, please contact the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Fraud Hotline at 1-800-447-8477. For further details about the scams, you can visit Grant Fraud and Scams.
Related Article:
- Mortgage Assistance Programs for Veterans
- Foreclosure Assistance Grants Programs for Veterans
- Community impact grant program