The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides winter heating and summer cooling funding to eligible low-income households during specific application periods throughout each year. The Energy Crisis Assistance Program (ECAP) provides emergency funding to low-income households throughout the year. Customers apply for services at OKDHSLive.org. Oklahoma Human Services works with utility companies to offset the cost of home energy to low-income households, prevent the shutoff of utility service to those households and restore utility service if service is interrupted.
Contact Information
Email: LIHEAP2@okdhs.org
Voicemail: (405) 522-5050
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 25352
Okahoma City, OK 73125
The funding for the energy assistance program is contingent on the receipt of federal funds and authorized amounts vary from year-to-year. The allocated funding is estimated and reserved for winter heating, summer cooling, and ECAP on a yearly basis. Households may apply for and receive help with their primary source of energy during these three scheduled applications periods each year.
The anticipated open enrollment dates for federal fiscal year 2025 are listed below. Please be aware that several factors could result in delayed open enrollment.
- Winter Heating – Tuesday, December 17, 2024
- Energy Crisis Assistance Program (ECAP) – Tuesday, April 15, 2025
- Summer Cooling – Tuesday, July 15, 2025
To check for open enrollment access OKDHSLive. During open enrollment there will be a red banner that reads “Apply for Energy Assistance”.
- Program Benefits
- Eligibility Criteria
- How to Apply
- Related Links
The LIHEAP includes 3 different components:
- winter heating
- summer cooling
Summer cooling and winter heating are not emergency assistane programs. Processing for these applications may take up to 60 calendar days.
If you or one of your household members has a life threatening medical condition, you may qualify for life-threatening ECAP assistance year round. Each life-threatening medical crisis is evaluated on an individual basis in accordance with LIHEAP rules. You may be asked to provide verification, including a note from a licensed health care professional. To submit a utility crisis life threatening medical referral call 405-522-5050, and select the energy assistance options.
You can apply for and possibly qualify for all three programs. You are encouraged to apply online at www.okdhslive.org during our open enrollment periods.
Eligibility requirements for Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) include income, household size, and responsibility for payment of the home energy cost. Only one payment per household is allowed per program component. “Household” is defined as individuals living “under the same roof” with one utility meter. Everyone who uses the same meter or utility must apply together.
If your household includes a citizen of a federally recognized Native Nation, you may apply for energy assistance through Oklahoma Human Services OR with a Native program, but you cannot receive assistance for the same component from both during the same federal fiscal year.
To qualify for energy assistance, you must meet each of the following requirements:
- Be responsible for payment of home energy.
- Households are not eligible if the utility bill is paid directly to the provider by someone who does not reside at the residence.
· Be a United States citizen or legally admitted for permanent residence.
- Meet specific income guidelines that vary according to household size.
LIHEAP OKDHSLive Instructions - How to apply for the energy assistance program.
LIHEAP Survey
Oklahoma Human Services is seeking public comment about the federally-funded Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, (LIHEAP). Federally-funded programs are dependent upon the availability of federal funds. This federally-funded program helps income-eligible families with their home energy bill.
The LIHEAP survey can be completed using the following link.
Public comments about LIHEAP should be completed using the survey at the following link, or emailed to Liheap2@okdhs.org, or submitted by letter to Oklahoma Human Services, Attention LIHEAP, P.O. Box 25352, Oklahoma City, OK 73125-0352.
Learn of other resources that may be of assistance.
Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) is operated with funds from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE, and the U.S. Department Health and Human Services (LIHEAP). WAP is designed to help low-income households control their energy cost through installation of weatherization materials and education. Oklahoma Human Services contracts with the Oklahoma Department of Commerce (ODOC) to provide weatherization services for eligible families.
Department of Commerce Weatherization Contact:
Kayla Cornett
Energy Programs Planner
Community Development, ODOC
Email: Kayla.Cornett@okcommerce.gov
Amanda Marcott-Thottunkal
Director of Energy and Empowerment Programs
Community Development, ODOC
Email: Amanda.Marcott-Thotunkal@OKcommerce.gov
Phone: 1-800-879-6552
Broadcast Message
Oklahoma Human Services (OKDHS) will stop accepting summer cooling Energy Assistance applications at midnight Friday, July 5, 2024.
Clients can apply online at www.okdhslive.org until 12:00:00 A.M. CST Saturday, July 6, 2024.
Eligibility will be determined for applications submitted during open enrollment. Summer cooling is not a crisis program. Households should continue paying their utility bill or work with the utility provider to avoid service interruption.
Clients that applied during open enrollment can continue turning in verification:
- online at OKDHSLIVE.org and click on Fast Pass Verification Upload button so it can be indexed to the case record,
- at any local OKDHS field office.
