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Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides winter heating and summer cooling funding to eligible low-income households during specific application periods throughout each year. The Energy Crisis Assistance Program (ECAP) provides emergency funding to low-income households throughout the year. Customers apply for services at OKDHSLive.org. Oklahoma Human Services works with utility companies to offset the cost of home energy to low-income households, prevent the shutoff of utility service to those households and restore utility service if service is interrupted.

Contact Information

Email:  LIHEAP2@okdhs.org
Voicemail:  (405) 521-3444 or 1-866-411-1877

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 25352
Okahoma City, OK 73125


The funding for the energy assistance program is contingent on the receipt of federal funds and authorized amounts vary from year-to-year. The allocated funding is estimated and reserved for winter heating, summer cooling, and ECAP on a yearly basis. Households may apply for and receive help with their primary source of energy during these three scheduled applications periods each year. Anticipated open enrollment dates for 2024 are listed below. Please be aware that several factors could result in delayed open enrollment.

Winter Heating – Tuesday, December 19, 2023

Energy Crisis Assistance Program (ECAP) – Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Summer Cooling – Tuesday, June 18, 2024

To check for open enrollment access OKDHSLive . During open enrollment there will be a red banner that reads “Apply for Energy Assistance”.  

The LIHEAP includes 3 different components:

  • winter heating
  • summer cooling

Summer cooling and winter heating are not emergency assistane programs. Processing for these applications may take up to 60 calendar days.

If you or one of your household members has a life threatening medical condition, you may qualify for life-threatening ECAP assistance year round. Each life-threatening medical crisis is evaluated on an individual basis in accordance with LIHEAP rules. You may be asked to provide verification, including a note from a licensed health care professional. To submit a utility crisis life threatening medical referral call 405-522-5050, and select the energy assistance options.

You can apply for and possibly qualify for all three programs. You are encouraged to apply online at www.okdhslive.org during our open enrollment periods. 

Eligibility requirements for the (LIHEAP) include income, household size, available resources and responsibility for payment of the home energy cost. Only one payment per household is allowed per program component. “Household” is defined as individuals living “under the same roof” with one utility meter. Everyone who uses the same meter or utility must apply together.

If your household includes a Native American, you may apply for energy assistance through Oklahoma Human Services OR with your tribe, but you cannot receive assistance for the same component from both during the same federal fiscal year.

To qualify for LIHEAP assistance, you must meet each of the following requirements:

  • Be responsible for payment of home energy
    • Households are not eligible for LIHEAP if the utility bill is paid directly to the provider by someone who does not reside at the residence.

Be a United States citizen or legally admitted for permanent residence.

  • Meet countable resource standard including cash, checking or savings accounts, certificates of deposits, cryptocurrency, stocks or bonds.
  • Meet specific income guidelines that vary according to household size

LIHEAP OKDHSLive Instructions - How to apply for the energy assistance program.


LIHEAP Survey

Oklahoma Human Services is seeking public comment about the federally-funded Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, (LIHEAP). Federally-funded programs are dependent upon the availability of federal funds. This federally-funded program helps income-eligible families with their home energy bill.

The LIHEAP survey can be completed using the following link.

Public comments about LIHEAP should be completed using the survey at the following link, or emailed to Liheap2@okdhs.org, or submitted by letter to Oklahoma Human Services, Attention LIHEAP, P.O. Box 25352, Oklahoma City, OK 73125-0352.


Public Hearing

Oklahoma Human Services is seeking feedback on its LIHEAP state plan. The public hearing will occur at 11 a.m. on Sept. 9, 2023. The meeting will occur at Sequoyah Memorial office building, Room C48 (basement), 2400 N. Lincoln Blvd, Oklahoma City.

Written submissions are acceptable and encouraged and may be sent via email to Liheap2@okdhs.org or submitted by letter to Oklahoma Human Services, Attention LIHEAP, P.O. Box 25352, Oklahoma City, OK 73125-0352.

Any submissions received after Aug. 9, 2023 will be considered for the next federal fiscal year 2024 state plan.

Proposed LIHEAP State plan FFY 2024


Learn of other resources that may be of assistance.

Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) is operated with funds from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE, and the U.S. Department Health and Human Services (LIHEAP). WAP is designed to help low-income households control their energy cost through installation of weatherization materials and education.  Oklahoma Human Services contracts with the Oklahoma Department of Commerce (ODOC) to provide weatherization services for eligible families.  
                                           
Department of Commerce Weatherization Contact: 
Kayla Cornett
Energy Programs Planner
Community Development, ODOC
Email: Kayla.Cornett@okcommerce.gov

Amanda Marcott-Thottunkal                                             
Director of Energy and Empowerment Programs
Community Development, ODOC                         
Email: Amanda.Marcott-Thotunkal@OKcommerce.gov

Phone: 1-800-879-6552               


Broadcast Message

Oklahoma Human Services is now accepting online applications for the Energy Crisis Assistance Program (ECAP) at OKDHSLive.org.

If eligible, households will be authorized for a one-time payment for the minimum amount required to resolve the crisis. The total crisis payment is capped at $750 maximum per federal fiscal year, this includes energy crisis and life threatening medical.  

ECAP crisis criteria, verified directly with the utility provider:

  • that the utility, on the day of application, has an active cut-off notice
  • for new service, or to restore service, with the required deposit, carryover debt or other fees
  • refuse to deliver additional fuel and the fuel tank is below 10%
  • a pre-paid account with less than $25 balance in the account
  • that the household entered into a payment plan to prevent service cut off

Apply online at OKDHSLive.org

 

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