ATLANTA — A state program to help low-income households with energy expenses and winter heating opened for applications this week.
The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), administered through the Georgia Department of Human Services, applies to households with residents 65 and older and "medically homebound households." Those who qualify in those brackets were able to begin applying for the assistance as of Monday.
The program is also is available to households on income thresholds ranging from $33,038 for a single individual to $73,700 for a household of five. Household incomes generally need to be at or below 60% of the State Median Income to be eligible.
Those who qualify under the income standard can schedule an appointment to apply beginning January 2.
The money is dispersed through local Community Action Agencies (CAA) in Georgia, and to apply you need to contact a CAA which you can do here.
Georgia DHS notes that to apply, you must provide the following:
- Most recent heating bill or statement of service from their heating provider
- Social Security numbers for each household member
- Proof of citizenship for each household member
- Proof of income (e.g., paycheck stub or a public assistance verification letter) for the last 30 days for each adult household member
- Verification of Social Security or unemployment benefits for all applicable household members
