OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (June 1, 2022) – Oklahoma Human Services (OKDHS) is seeking public comment about the federally-funded Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and Low Income Home Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP). These programs are dependent upon the availability of federal funds and help income-eligible families with their home energy and water utility bills.

A public hearing will be held virtually on Zoom at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, July 6, 2022.

To submit questions in advance of the July 6 meeting, please use this form.

Register in advance for this meeting: 

https://oklahoma.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJcocuygpzsvGNcXVkJhl9h7O0Px63n6vXl4

LIHEAP components: 

• The Energy Crisis Assistance Program (ECAP) provides assistance for households with a verifiable energy crisis including the loss of heating or cooling. Open enrollment for the program begins each year in mid-March. Energy crisis assistance for households with a life-threatening medical situation is accepted year round.  
• The non-emergency summer cooling program provides assistance with a one-time payment per fiscal year to the energy company providing the main source of cooling for the household. Open enrollment begins each year in June. 
• The non-emergency winter heating program provides assistance with a one-time payment per fiscal year to the energy company providing the main source of heating for the household. Open enrollment begins each year in December. 

LIHWAP components:

LIHWAP is a new, one-time program that was created and funded under the Consolidated Appropriations Act and American Rescue Plan Act.  It provides funds to assist low-income households with water and wastewater bills.

• The non-emergency water bill pay provides assistance with a one-time payment per fiscal year to the public drinking water or waste water participating provider for the eligible household.  
• The water crisis program provides assistance with a one-time payment per fiscal year for: 
  • households who meet the eligibility requirements outlined in the LIHEAP program and
  • have a verifiable water crisis, disconnected service or will be disconnected within 72 hours, and
  • the public drinking water or waste water company is a participating provider.

In order to receive LIHWAP, the public drinking water or waste water company must be a participating provider.

LIHEAP/LIHWAP eligibility requirements are based on:

• Income
• Household size
• Available resources
• Responsibility for payment of home energy, water or waste water
  • Households are not eligible for LIHEAP/LIHWAP if the utility bill is paid directly to the provider by someone who does not reside at the residence. 

Maximum monthly gross income allowed:

Household Size         Allowable Monthly Gross Income

1                                  $ 1,396

2                                  $ 1,888

3                                  $ 2,379

4                                  $ 2,871

5                                  $ 3,363

6                                  $ 3,855

7                                  $ 4,347

8                                  $ 4,839

LIHEAP statistics for 2021:

• 102,119 households received winter heating assistance
• 108,527 households received summer cooling assistance
• 5,905 households received Energy Crisis Assistance

Public comments about LIHEAP should be emailed to Liheap2@okdhs.org or submitted by letter to Oklahoma Human Services, Attention LIHEAP, P.O. Box 25352, Oklahoma City, OK 73125-0352.

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