Summer Cooling Assistance Now Available for Low-Income Households

OKLAHOMA CAPITOL -- Summer cooling assistance funds are now available across the state through the federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) administered by the Oklahoma Department of Human Services.
The funds are designed to help low-income households that are extremely vulnerable to summer-heat stresses. OKDHS will start taking applications on July 19 and will continue until all allocated funds are depleted. Federal funding for this year’s Summer Cooling Program in Oklahoma is approximately $3 million.

Mel Phillips, OKDHS LIHEAP coordinator, said eligibility for help through LIHEAP is based on each household’s income and assets. If you know someone who is facing heat-related health problems because of their inability to afford adequate cooling, and who may be income eligible, please tell them about the Summer Cooling Program available at their local OKDHS office.

“The benefits are $110 for a one-person household, while a two or more person household will receive $165,” Phillips said. “The household will receive only one payment for this year’s cooling assistance.”

The maximum income guidelines are:

Persons applying should have their household’s latest electric bill with either a past-due or a cut-off notice and income information when applying. Applications can be made at your local OKDHS office. For more information, contact your local OKDHS office.

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