Assistance with Heating Costs Available for Low-Income Households Dec. 1

OKLAHOMA CAPITOL -- Help with home heating costs will be available across the state through the federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) administered by the Oklahoma Department of Human Services.
The application period for heating assistance through OKDHS is Dec. 1-20, or until all available funds are spent.

Federal funding for the current LIHEAP program in Oklahoma is projected to be less than $8 million, close to last year’s funding. More than 90,000 Oklahoma households received LIHEAP last year.

According to Mel Phillips, OKDHS LIHEAP coordinator, many, but not all households that receive public assistance through OKDHS will be automatically authorized for LIHEAP and will not need to apply. OKDHS will notify these households of their eligibility. Most other households that receive some type of public assistance such as food stamps, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or state supplemental payments to the aged, blind or disabled will be mailed LIHEAP applications.

“Eligibility for help through LIHEAP is based on household income and assets,” said Phillips. “Low-income households that do not receive public assistance may also be eligible for home heating assistance. It’s important that persons requesting LIHEAP assistance have their household’s latest heating bill and income information when applying.”

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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