Low
Income Home Energy Assistance Program
The
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) assists low-income
households, particularly those 
with
the lowest incomes that pay a high proportion of income for home
energy, primarily in meeting their immediate home energy (i.e.,
heating or cooling) needs. The LIHEAP program, however, does not
provide assistance directly to low-income households. Each State,
direct Tribal grantee and Territory designs and operates its own
energy assistance program within broad Federal guidelines.
The
LIHEAP leveraging incentive program provides additional funding
to LIHEAP grantees that have leveraged non-Federal home energy
resources for low-income households. LIHEAP also includes supplemental
funding of the Residential Energy Assistance Challenge Option
(REACH) program that is described separately. REACH provides competitive
grants for implementation through local community-based agencies
involving innovative plans to help LIHEAP eligible households
reduce their energy vulnerability.
Grantees
distribute LIHEAP funds through sub- grantees such as community
action agencies for use by low-income households for:
- Heating
assistance;
-
Cooling assistance;
-
Crisis assistance; or
-
Weatherization.
This
block grant is a mandatory formula grant. The President may release
additional LIHEAP funds (energy emergency contingency funds) to
LIHEAP grantees for energy-related emergencies. States, Territories,
Native American Tribes, and Tribal organizations are eligible
to apply. Eligibility requirements, types of assistance and program
operating dates vary from State to State. See the LIHEAP website
for more information.
Contact
Information:
Office
of Community Services
Division of Energy Assistance
370 L’Enfant Promenade, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20447
Telephone: 202-401-9351
Fax: 202-401-5661
Website: www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/liheap/
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Keywords:
energy assistance; housing; self-sufficiency. |
