Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Clearinghouse acf home privacy policy
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State Cooling Programs

AL | AZ | AR | CA | DE | DC | FL | HI | IL | IN | KS | KY | LA | MS | MO | NE
NV | NJ | NM | NY | NC | OH | OK | OR | SC | TN | TX | UT | VA | WI

State
 Alabama
Program Dates
 June 1 - September 30
Eligibility / Priority
 150% of federal poverty level. Eligibility priority given to seniors, disabled and young children.
Application / Intake
 Early application and special times for the elderly vary by administering agency. Provide intake service through home visits or by telephone for elderly and disabled.
Benefits (2008)
$70 minimum, $240 maximum
Other
 Also have crisis cooling program and medical requirements are waived for the elderly.
State Arizona
Program Dates Year-round
Eligibility / Priority 150% of federal poverty level - seniors, disabled and children under 6 are given additional points for eligibility.
Application / Intake Applications taken at CAAs; no early applications.
Benefits (2008) $25 minimum, $400 maximum
Other CAAs market the program regularly.
State Arkansas
Program Dates Part of year-round crisis, cooling program only if emergency funds are available
Eligibility / Priority 125% of federal poverty level
Application / Intake Applications taken at CAAs
Benefits (2008) maximum of $300, part of crisis
Other Air conditioners may be available, if emergency funds are released, to households with one or more household members with a medical condition which makes them vulnerable to health hazards from high temperatures.
State California
Program Dates Year-round. LIHEAP operates on a calendar year and doesn't distinguish between heating and cooling. Services that meet heating and cooling needs are combined and available throughout the year.
Eligibility / Priority 60% of state median income. Each LIHEAP local service provider develops a prioritization of services plan and may target households by energy burden, vulnerable populations, etc. Most plans provide additional consideration to seniors.
Application / Intake Provide intake service through home visits or by telephone for elderly and disabled.
Benefits (2007) $131 minimum, $479 maximum
Other LIHEAP service providers conduct direct marketing and outreach activities to reach senior populations, including on-site intake with senior housing complexes; targeted mailings to seniors; and coordination with local community agencies serving the senior population.
State Delaware
Program Dates May 12 - August 15
Eligibility / Priority 200% of federal poverty level.
Application / Intake Summer cooling assistance is limited for 2008. Apply directly to state service centers.
Benefits (2008) Help can include utility bill payment ($200) and, in some cases, window unit air conditioners.
Other May be eligible with a doctor's note stating that air conditioning is medically beneficial to a household member.
State District of Columbia
Program Dates Year-round
Eligibility / Priority 60% of state median income
Application / Intake Appy at the DC Energy Office
Benefits (2007) One-time benefit can be used for cooling or heating, $24 minimum, $1,038 maximum. Crisis program allows a benefit payment for eligible households that have an unavoidable cooling emergency (payment made April-September). It may pay the actual home energy bills and/or other necessary expenses to maintain or restore cooling, including repairs to heating or cooling equipment or support systems.
State Florida
Program Dates April 1 - September 30
Eligibility / Priority 150% of federal poverty level. Senior priority is a local agency decision.
Application / Intake Applications are accepted typically anytime funds are available, year round, but this is a local decision. Some agencies have early applications, first of the month applications, or priority appointment times.
Benefits (2008) $100 minimum, $200 maximum. Client can receive 1 cooling non-crisis benefit per year and 1 crisis benefit for cooling up to $400 per year. Grantees provide fans or distribute vouchers for purchase of fans.
Other The Emergency Home Energy Assistance for the Elderly program is available for financially eligible people, 60 years of age and older. A recipient may receive financial assistance twice a year - once during the heating season and again during the cooling season.
State Hawaii
Program Dates June 1 - June 30
Eligibility / Priority 150% of federal poverty level.
Application / Intake Home visits to help senior citizens and disabled with their applications.
Benefits (2008) One fund helps residents who have received a disconnection notice with up to $100. The other fund provides a $178 a year utility credit for a single person and more than $400 annually for families.
State Illinois
Program Dates Low income residents can apply for assistance with their summer energy bills July 7 - 18, 2008.
Eligibility / Priority 150% of federal poverty level
Application / Intake Local community action agencies, "Keep Cool Illinois" hotline - 877-411-9276
Benefits $150 electric bill payments on behalf of seniors, the disabled, families with very young children, and people with medical conditions that would be aggravated by extreme heat.
Other
 120 cooling centers are available statewide, (800) 843-6154
State Indiana
Program Dates June 2 - August 29
Eligibility / Priority 150% of federal poverty level. A household may also be eligible for an air conditioning unit if it is medically necessary.
Application / Intake Households that received the prior winter heating benefits are considered eligible for Summer Cooling Assistance based on the previously approved application. A further eligibility determination is not necessary. A household that did not receive heating benefits the prior winter must be determined eligible under the guidelines as a new applicant. Applications accepted on June 1; no early applications.
Benefits (2008) $50 payment to electric bill. Income eligible households with at least one senior, or disabled member, or a child under 6 with a verified medical requirement may receive an air conditioner instead of $50 payment.
State Kansas
Program Dates No separate cooling program. The LIEAP annual program operates January through March.
Eligibility / Priority 130% of federal poverty level
Application / Intake Provide intake service through home visits or by telephone for elderly and disabled.
Benefits (2007) $294 average, LIEAP recipients can choose to have their benefit split between the heating and cooling vendor when applying.
State Kentucky
Program Dates Cooling benefits are offered when funds are available.
Eligibility / Priority 130% of federal poverty level
Application / Intake Apply at local community action agencies.
Benefits The summer cooling program provides eligible households with a one-time payment to the household's cooling (electric) provider. Air conditioners may be provided for households where residents are at risk for health problems associated with excess heat.
Other To be eligible for an air conditioner, the household must not have access to an air conditioner and meet one of these requirements: have a member with a health condition or disability that requires cooling to prevent further deterioration as verified by a physician's statement; have a member who is 65 years or older; or have a member who is younger than 6.
State Louisiana
Program Dates April 1 - September 30
Eligibility / Priority 60% of state mediam income. Eligibility priority for households with elderly, disabled, or young children.
Application / Intake Provide intake service through home visits or by telephone for elderly and disabled.
Benefits (2008) $150 minimum, $500 maximum.
Other Summer Emergency Program - the Assistant Secretary may declare an emergency and purchase fans for LIHEAP- eligible households with a senior, disabled or young child.
State Mississippi
Program Dates May 1 - September 30
Eligibility / Priority 150% of federal poverty level. Eligibility priority is given to seniors.
Application / Intake Recertification forms are mailed to seniors and disabled to facilitate the application process.
Benefits The level of cash amount awarded to eligible households depends on the applicant's bill amount, the result of case management analysis and degree of participation on the established case plan.
Other Fans, air conditioners, cooling systems and other cooling, energy-related services may be provided depending on needs, case management result and client complying fully with the established case plan.
State Missouri
Program Dates June 1 - September 30.
Eligibility / Priority 125% of federal poverty level, less than $3,000 in assets. Applicants must have received a disconnect notice or their service must already be terminated.
Application / Intake  
Benefits (2008) $300 maximum.
Other Program funds can be used towards the purchase of an air conditioner for households with a member 65 years or older or documented medical condition.
State Nebraska
Program Dates June 1 - August 31. A year-round crisis program can help with a cooling payment either before or after the program dates.
Eligibility / Priority 116% of federal poverty level. A medical need for cooling must be documented. Any household that is identified with a member age 70 or older will appear on the automatic payment listing. These payments will be processed with the first cooling payment that will be created June 1.
Application / Intake Applications can be accepted at any time, but cannot be processed prior to June 1.
Benefits (2008) $68 minimum, $198 maximum. Benefits for multi-family dwellings are $34 minimum and $99 maximum.
Other Households that have a member age 70 or older are also eligible for an air conditioner if one has not been purchased for that household in the past 5 years.
State Nevada
Program Dates Year-round
Eligibility / Priority 150% of federal poverty level.
Application / Intake Prior year clients who are senior, disabled or SSI or TANF recipients receive notice first and have the opportunity to apply first for new programs.
Benefits $180 minimum, no maximum for electricity
Other Any eligible household, statewide, may request to have their benefit a) distributed entirely to their heating provider, or b) distributed entirely to their electric (cooling) provider, or c) split so half goes to their heating provider and half goes to their cooling provider.
State New Jersey
Program Dates November 1 - March 31
Eligibility / Priority 175% of federal poverty level. Eligibility priority given to seniors. Must have evidence of health endangerment signed by a licensed medical practitioner to receive cooling benefit.
Application / Intake Apply for heating and cooling at the same time with the same application. Households with a senior or disabled member may apply by mail. Provide intake service through home visits for the physically infirm.
Benefits (2008) Flat benefit of $100 where there is medical evidence that the health of at least 1 household member is seriously endangered.
State New Mexico
Program Dates No formal cooling program, once-a-year benefit can be used for cooling.
Eligibility / Priority 150% of federal poverty level
Application / Intake Early application period in September. No applications are processed or companies contacted until October 1. No special component for seniors.
Benefits (2008) $38 minimum, $240 maximum
Other May be eligible for cooling crisis if household: received a shutoff notice; has at least one household member who is 60 years or older, disabled or child under 5; and has paid utility bill 2 out of the 3 past months.
State New York
Program Dates Starts June 1
Eligibility / Priority 60% of state median income, must have at least one member of the household that suffers from an acute medical condition that is exacerbated by extreme heat. Written documentation from a physician clearly indicating the need for an air conditioner is required and must be dated within the previous six months.
Application / Intake  
Benefits (2008) air conditioner
State North Carolina
Program Dates Cooling benefits are part of year-round crisis program.
Eligibility / Priority 110% of federal poverty level
Application / Intake  
Benefits (2008) $300 maximum
State Ohio
Program Dates July 1 - August 31
Eligibility / Priority 175% of federal poverty level and senior or documented medical condition
Application / Intake Local community action agencies
Benefits (2008) Up to $100 for bill payment
Other Persons 59 years of age or younger must have a doctor's notice stating that a medical need exists for cooling assistance to receive a one-time payment toward an electric bill. Persons 60 years or older do not need a doctor's notice to receive bill assistance. A medical notice from a doctor stating that an air conditioner will benefit a household member's medical condition is required for all ages.
State Oklahoma
Program Dates July 14 - until funds are exhausted
Eligibility / Priority 110% of federal poverty level
Application / Intake  
Benefits (2008) $120 max for 1 person household; $180 max for 2 or more person household. Benefits may be used for the purchase or repair of cooling equipment.
State Oregon
Program Dates Part of crisis
Eligibility / Priority 60% of state median income
Application / Intake Counties, community action agencies and other non-profit agencies
Benefits (2007) $352 average, 500 maximum
Other Crisis assistance for cooling and cooling equipment requires verification of medical necessity.
State South Carolina
Program Dates May 1 - September 30
Eligibility / Priority 150% of federal poverty level. Eligibility priority given to households with a senior or disabled member or child under 5 years.
Application / Intake Early application for seniors and disabled. Provide intake service through home visits or by telephone for the physically infirm (i.e. elderly or handicapped).
Benefits (2008) $130 minimum, $240 maximum
Other Crisis cooling: Lifted the rules to permit more families to qualify for air conditioners (window units) during the extremely hot summer months.
State Tennessee
Program Dates May 1 - June 28
Eligibility / Priority 125% of federal poverty level. Medical statement for need is required, unless household has an elderly, disabled or infant (under 12 months) member. Priority in assistance is based on a 24 point system, households with elderly, disabled or infant receive 6 points.
Application / Intake Provide intake service through home visits or by telephone for elderly and disabled.
Benefits (2008) $150 minimum, $600 maximum
Other Air conditioners and fans are provided to eligible households that did not receive them in the past. Eligible households prohibited from receiving ACs or fans will receive a payment for electric accounts.
State Texas
Program Dates March 1 - November 30
Eligibility / Priority 125% of federal poverty level. Priority shall be given to eligible households: 1) containing one or more persons age 60 or above, an individual with disability, or children under the age of six (Priority is demonstrated via special documented outreach efforts to these populations); 2) with high energy cost burden; and 3) that have been on the weatherization waiting list for two years or more and with the highest energy burdens.
Application / Intake Elderly and Disabled Assistance Component: assistance targeted to households unable to achieve full energy self-sufficiency through other means. Provide referrals to medical and nutrition programs.
Benefits (2007) $922 average, $1,200 maximum
Other Distribution of funds to subgrantees: elderly are given priority by giving greater weight to this population in allocation formula. CEAP clients who receive co-pay, who are senior or disabled, or receive crisis assistance during the year may be eligible for replacement or repair of cooling system.
State Utah
Program Dates Year-round
Eligibility / Priority 125% of federal poverty level.
Application / Intake The year-round crisis program assists with cooling assistance in the summer.
Benefits (2008) $500 maximum for crisis. Households with young children, disabled, and/or elderly get an additional amount.
State Virginia
Program Dates June 16 - August 15
Eligibility / Priority 130% of federal poverty level. Household must have one member 60 years or over, disabled or child under 6.
Application / Intake Provide intake services through home visits or telephone for physically infirm seniors and disabled. Early application period for the elderly and disabled. Cooling is administered through local non-profits in coordination with other social service organizations such as area agencies on aging. Applications are available at local agencies and the state website.
Benefits (2008) $150 maximum can be used to purchase or replace and install an air conditioner; repair a central air conditioning unit or heat pump; pay an electric utility security deposit or pay an electric bill to operate the cooling equipment.
State Wisconsin
Program Dates Part of year-round crisis
Eligibility / Priority 150% FPG, cooling must be medically necessary. No household will be eligible for crisis cooling assistance without a declaration by a local or state public health agency of a heat emergency and authorization is given by the Department of Administration.
Application / Intake Applications for crisis cooling are taken at county welfare offices, community action agencies and charitable organizatons.
Benefits $1,000 maximum, crisis cooling emergency services may include room air conditioner repair/purchase, fans, education on energy conservation measures, or budget counseling.  

Page Last Updated: July 9, 2008