Assistance with Heating Costs Available for Low-Income Households

OKLAHOMA CAPITOL -- Help with home heating costs will be available across the state this winter through the federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program administered by the Oklahoma Department of Human Services.
The application period for assistance through OKDHS will begin Wednesday, Dec. 1. Applications will be accepted until allocated funding is spent. Applicants should provide identification, income verification and the most recent heating bill at the time of application.

Cari Crittenden, OKDHS LIHEAP coordinator, said many, but not all households that receive public assistance through OKDHS may be automatically authorized for LIHEAP and will not need to make application. These households will be notified of their eligibility in early November. Crittenden also encourages households that are usually pre-approved to make application at their local OKDHS office if they have moved or did not receive a pre-approval notice this year.

Most other households that receive some type of public assistance; Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly known as Food Stamps), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families 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. Low-income households that do not receive public assistance may also be eligible for home heating assistance.

The maximum income guidelines are:

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