DHS makes Summer Cooling assistance available for low-income households

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The Oklahoma Department of Human Services (DHS) will make a limited amount of summer cooling assistance funds available across the state through the federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The funds are designed to help low-income households that are extremely vulnerable to summer-heat stresses.

DHS will begin taking applications online at www.okdhslive.org on Tuesday July 19^th, 2016. The agency has approximately $18 million in federal funds for this year's Summer Cooling Program in Oklahoma and the program will continue until all allocated funds are depleted.

Eligibility for LIHEAP is based on each household's income and assets. If you or someone you know may be income eligible and are at risk for heat-related health problems due to the inability to afford adequate cooling, you are encouraged to apply for the Summer Cooling Program available at www.okdhslive.org.

Many households receiving public assistance through DHS will be automatically authorized for summer cooling assistance and will not need to make application. Automatically authorized households will be notified of their eligibility by letter before the application period begins.

Other households already receiving DHS assistance will receive an application in the mail. These households are encouraged to complete and return the application to the local office as soon as it is received.

Only one payment per household is allowed annually for LIHEAP summer cooling assistance.  "Household" is defined as individuals living "under the same roof."

The maximum income guidelines are:

Size of Household ​	Allowable Monthly Net Income​
1​	$ 1079​
2​	$ 1460​
3​	$ 1842​
4​	$ 2223​​
5​	$ 2604​
6​	$ 2986​
7​	$ 3367​
8​	$ 3748​

 Persons applying should visit www.okdhslive.org for further instructions.

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