Summer Cooling Assistance Now Available for Low-Income Households

OKLAHOMA CAPITOL --- A limited amount of summer cooling assistance funds will be made available across the state through the federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, which is administered through 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 begin taking applications Aug. 1, and will continue until all allocated funds are depleted. OKDHS has approximately $2 million in federal funds for this year’s Summer Cooling Program in Oklahoma.

Mel Phillips, OKDHS LIHEAP coordinator, said eligibility for 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 home with two or more persons may receive $165. Only one payment per household is allowed annually for LIHEAP summer cooling assistance.

The maximum income guidelines are:

Persons applying should have the latest electric bill for their home and verification of income information when they make application. For more information, contact the local OKDHS human services center in your county of residence.

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