Last January, I knocked on our neighbor Rosemary's door to drop off some mail that landed in our box by mistake. She answered wearing her winter coat. Inside her own house.
Rosemary is a widow, 79, living on Social Security. She'd set her thermostat at 60 to keep the gas bill down, and she was sleeping under three quilts. On her kitchen counter, under a fruit bowl, was a notice from the gas company. It said her service could be shut off if she didn't pay.
Well, folks, Rosemary had never heard of LIHEAP. By the end of that week, Cindy had helped her call the right office, and help was on the way. I want every one of you to know about this program before the first cold snap, not after.
What is LIHEAP?
LIHEAP stands for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. It's federally funded and run by states, territories, and tribes. According to the federal program page, it can help with heating bills, preventing shutoffs, reconnecting service, making homes more energy efficient, and repairing or replacing heating equipment.
Some programs help with summer cooling bills too. And it's for renters as well as homeowners.
How do I apply for LIHEAP?
In plain words, three steps. First, find your local office at energyhelp.us or by calling the National Energy Assistance Referral hotline at 1-866-674-6327, weekdays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern. Second, gather your latest utility bill, a photo ID, and proof of income, like your Social Security benefit letter. Third, apply as early as you can, because the money is limited and many programs close when it runs out.
Each state sets its own dates and income limits. Many open their heating programs in the fall, so this is the time to call and ask when yours opens.
What if I already have a shutoff notice?
Don't wait, and don't hide the notice under the fruit bowl like Rosemary did. Many LIHEAP programs have crisis help for households facing a shutoff, sometimes with faster processing. Tell the office right away that you have a shutoff notice and the date on it.
Call the utility company too. Ask about a payment plan, and ask whether any winter or medical protections apply in your state. Don't assume that applying for help automatically stops a shutoff. Write down who you talked to and what they said.
How do I avoid LIHEAP scams?
Put simply, watch out for anyone who charges a fee to apply or to "release" your benefit, a caller promising a government check in the mail, a website that isn't an official government or local agency site asking for your bank login, or a text saying you've been approved for something you never applied for. The federal program page says LIHEAP doesn't charge a fee.
What other help is out there?
Ask your utility company about hardship funds and budget billing, which spreads your costs evenly over the year. Ask the LIHEAP office about weatherization help, which can make your home cheaper to heat for years. And if energy bills are squeezing your budget, check whether you qualify for a Medicare Savings Program or Extra Help with drug costs. Freeing up money in one place helps everywhere.
How Rosemary's winter turned out
Rosemary's local agency approved crisis help within a couple of weeks, and the payment went straight to the gas company. Her service stayed on. They also put her on the list for weatherization, and a crew sealed her drafty windows in the spring. This fall her thermostat is set at 68, and the winter coat is back in the closet where it belongs.
Nobody should have to wear a coat in their own living room, folks. Make the call before the cold comes.
Do you know someone who's been turning the heat down to save money? Share this with them, and tell us in the comments if you have questions.
