LIHEAP Energy Assistance Programs for Native Americans

Native Americans who are low income or experiencing financial difficulty may find that it’s challenging to pay their energy bills. Whether this is a result of an ongoing low income, due to a job loss, medical problems, or something else, there are options that can provide bill payment assistance. One of the programs that Native Americans can turn to in order to help get their energy bills paid is the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

LIHEAP is a program that is funded by the federal government. The program is administered through the human services and welfare offices in each state around the country. Native Americans who have a low income or who are experiencing financial hardship should become familiar with LIHEAP, so they can use the program as needed.

Here are some of the important details to know about LIHEAP:

• LIHEAP was created to help keep families and individuals safe and healthy, by keeping their energy on and paid for. The program helps many people around the country in order to help pay for their energy bills each year.
• The program usually takes applications during the colder months each year, typically October through April, although those months may vary depending on the state you are in. Applying during those months is the best way to help insure your application is approved for the grant.
• Each year, the federal government spends billions of dollars to provide people around the country with energy assistance. The program typically helps those who have the lowest incomes, helping those people to pay their energy bills.
• Native Americans can seek LIHEAP information through their local tribal office, or they can inquire through other non-tribal offices as well. The program is available in all 50 states, as well as Washington DC, the five U.S. territories, and over 150 different tribal offices around the country.
• In addition to being low income, the LIHEAP grants are often given to those with the elderly, disabled, or young children who live in the home.
• LIHEAP offers energy bill assistance, helping those who qualify to pay for home energy bills. The program also helps people who are having an energy crisis, such as having received a disconnect notice. LIHEAP also offers a weatherization program that will help people to make their home more energy efficient, which will help reduce their energy bill each month.
• Another service that LIHEAP offers is to help pay for minor home repairs to your energy systems. This is helpful for those who are low income so that they can obtain the necessary repairs they need in order to keep their home heating and cooling systems in working order.

To qualify for LIHEAP, you have to meet the low income requirements for the program. You also need to be a citizen or legal alien, and be the person who is responsible for paying the energy bill. What that means, is that the bill you want help paying for needs to be in your name, rather than in someone else’s name. The LIHEAP grants are typically paid directly to the energy company on your behalf, so that the amount will be taken off of what you owe.

To apply for LIHEAP, you can contact the program in your state or territory. Find your stat or territory on the Office of Community Services map. You can also find a list of LIHEAP programs by state that offer online applications. You can apply in person, online, or by calling the number in your state for more information on the program. They can help determine if you qualify for the energy assistance program. If you do, then they can quickly help you get your energy bill paid. If you do not qualify for LIHEAP, they may be able to refer you to other programs in your area that you will be qualified for.

With LIHEAP being a government funded program that helps millions of people each year, there is a good chance you may qualify for assistance if you are low income. Contact the program in your state to see if you qualify. If you don’t get approved, check with local churches and nonprofit organizations in your area to see who can help pay for your energy bill.