The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, also known as LIHEAP, helps low-income families pay their energy bills. LIHEAP is a grant that offers assistance in the form of a cash grant, sent directly to the utility company, or a crisis grant for households in immediate danger of being without home heating or cooling energy.
Any type of grants or financial benefits paid out is based on several conditions including the number of people who live in the residence, total household income, and the total monthly amount of their bills. Applicant may not have not received a LIHEAP benefit payment in the previous 6 months.
While applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis, some people do get priority. Households in Louisiana with members over 60 years of age, low-income households with children age five and under, or the disabled are usually first in line for any available assistance.
Information needed to apply:
1. Current Louisiana Photo I.D. or Driver’s license for everyone over 18 years and older in the household.
2. Social Security Card for everyone in the household.
3. Utility Bill – Recent copies of your utility bills – Must be an active account (cannot be an old account)
We can only help with light and gas bills (Bill must be within last thirty (30) days).
4. Proof of Income for every member of the household that receives income. (2017 Social Security/SSI Award, Letter or Bank Statement from within 30 days, Unemployment Letter, Worker’s Comp Letter, or the 4 most current consecutive paycheck stubs) If pay varies due to unusual circumstances, bring additional pay stubs.
5. Two (2) forms of proof of residency (other than light/gas bill) that have the person’s name applying for assistance with the service address that is on the bill such as water, cable, or phone (no older than 30 days).
6. If you send someone to do your application for you, you must send all of the above information and a letter, signed by you, giving that person permission to do the application. The person doing the application for you must also bring their photo I.D.
7. Additional information may be required to determine your eligibility for energy assistance. The applicant will be notified at the time of the application intake.
All information provided is subject to verification. Intentional misrepresentation of information may result in the criminal prosecution of the applicant and/or anyone assisting in the misrepresentation.
For more information contact:
Madison Parish
Ginnie Moore, Community Worker
Richland Parish
Pamela Kirby, Office Coordinator
Or, you may also contact:
Ms. Cindy Wiltcher, LIHEAP Program Manager
