ATLANTA — Eligible residents may apply for cooling assistance through the Division of Family and Children Service’s Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) beginning May 1.
LIHEAP is a federally-funded program that is designed to assist low-income, elderly and disabled Georgians with cooling costs through direct payments to home energy suppliers. Eligible households will receive between $350.00 to $400.00 toward their energy costs.
To qualify, a family’s annual income must be less than or equal to 60 percent of the median income for a Georgia family. For a household of one, the income threshold is $22,839; the income threshold for a household of five is $50,948.
Funds are administered through local Georgia Community Action Agencies (GCAA). Contact your local GCAA to determine how the program will accept applications and if any demographic will receive priority service. Those seeking assistance may apply starting on May 1 and will be asked to provide the following:
- The most recent cooling bill or statement of service from their heating providers
- Most recent heating bill or statement of service
- Social Security cards for each member of the household
- Proof of Citizenship for the applicant
- Proof of Income for the last 30 days for each adult member of the household. Proof of Income can include, but is not limited to, a paycheck stub or public assistance verification letter.
- Verification of Social Security or unemployment benefits for all applicable household members
For more information on the program, contact the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services at 404-657-3426.
To find a Community Action Agency in your area, visit http://www.georgiacaa.org.
About Georgia LIHEAP assistance
LIHEAP offers Four Primary Services: Regular Energy Assistance, Crisis Intervention Assistance, Cooling Assistance and Weatherization.
The Heating Program (Regular Energy and Crisis Intervention Assistance) is currently running but will close on April 30.
Heating Assistance opened on Nov. 1 for medically homebound and elderly households (ages 65 years and older). This demographic is always extended benefits first as Georgia’s priority group.
Beginning on Dec. 1 the heating program opened up more widespread to the general public and benefits were provided on a first come/first served basis. Applications are still being accepted for heating assistance. The Heating Program will close on April 30 to allow the Cooling Program to open on May 1.
The LIHEAP Program is administered by Community Partners Statewide. In FY 2018, there were 140,795 households served; 137,385 in FY 2017 and 129,446 in FY 2016.
About Georgia DFCS
DFCS administers The Georgia Food Stamp Program (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), a federally-funded program that provides monthly benefits to low-income
households to help pay for the cost of food. DFCS is responsible for issuance of SNAP, Medicaid and TANF to low-income families; assistance for out-of-work parents to help them get back on their feet as well as multiple support services and programs to help families in need.
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