HeartLine

It’s that time of year again- summer is here and the rising tempatures can lead to increased stress about managing inflated cooling bills. The Oklahoma Department of Human Services has offered assistance for low-income families to aid with the cost of their cooling bills this summer through the LIHEAP initiative. The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is designed to assist low-income households that are vulnerable to the stress of the summer heat. OKDHS has about $22 million in funds for their Summer Cooling Program through LIHEAP.

OKDHS will begin taking applications on Monday, July 9th. The eligibility requirements are based on household size and income. The maximum income guidelines are listed below. Many families already receiving OKDHS benefits will be preauthorized and notified of their eligibility by mail before July 9th. These families will not need to make an application to OKDHS. About 45,000 households have been preauthorized to receive assistance and are encouraged to call their caseworker for details. Families are encouraged to apply if they fall within the income guidelines, especially if they may be at risk of heat-related health problems. The maximum benefit allowed for a one-person household is $200, while a household of two or more is allowed $250. LIHEAP allows one payment per household. Applications will be accepted until all funds have been committed. Walk-in applications may be printed from the OKDHS website or obtained from a local OKDHS office. Forms will not be accepted before the program opens on July 9, 2012. Applications will be accepted at local OKDHS Human Service Centers. To locate your nearest Human Service Center, you may call 211 or search the 211 Online Resource Database . Click here to print the LIHEAP application.

Allowable monthly net income must be equal to or less than the income standards that are 110% of federal poverty guidelines.