LIHEAP Overview CURRENT OVERVIEW AS OF 10/09/2015 1
What is the Purpose of LIHEAP? LIHEAP helps low-income households stay safe and healthy by providing financial assistance to offset the costs of heating and cooling. LIHEAP particularly helps households that pay a high portion of their income for home energy to meet immediate home energy needs 2
What is LIHEAP? LIHEAP is a program through DHHS Economic Assistance that stands for Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program Available to those that have the highest energy burden or are considered economically vulnerable, elderly or disabled. LIHEAP program consists of Heating, Cooling and Crisis Assistance. Heating Season October 1 st to March 31 st Cooling Season June 1 st to August 30 th Crisis is a year round program 3
How is LIHEAP Funded? LIHEAP is a completely Federally Funded program Appropriations are made at the Federal Level and disbursed to all states yearly Funding is to be used from Oct 1 st to September 30 th each year DHHS receives a grant award letter and funds are distributed as follows; 90% Grant and 10% administration DHHS keeps a majority of the funds to administer the LIHEAP program through ACCESSNebraska DHHS provides funds to the Nebraska Energy Office through contract for weatherization purposes 4
Who Qualifies for LIHEAP Those who apply through ACCESSNebraska and meet citizenship and residency requirements, and Have a income at or below 130% (this increase is effective October 1 st, 2015), and Effective October 1, 2015 there is no resource limit. Are billed for utilities or have utilities included in their rent Cooling Assistance includes additional requirements have a medical need documented by a doctor Receive SSI Receive TANF and have a child age 5 years or younger 5
Who Qualifies for LIHEAP (continued) For Crisis; Must be otherwise eligible for LIHEAP assistance (heating or cooling), and In jeopardy of their utilities being shut off or having their budget plan discontinued, and Effective October 1, 2015 one of the following: An unanticipated medical or household expense; A significant, permanent and involuntary loss of work hours, wages, or employment; The departure of a primary wage earner; The inability of a primary wage earner to work because of illness or injury; A significant income loss because of the death of a Household member. 6
LIHEAP Income Guidelines This information can be found online at: 7
Other Program Information Every year a State Plan is due on September 30 th for the upcoming Energy Year, the State Plan always has a public hearing for public comments. Nebraska also has assistance for (eligibility requirements must be met); Deposits Repair/Replacement of Heating or Cooling Units Window Air Conditioner purchase Fans – administered through Community Partners throughout the State Nebraska participates in the following optional programs, Year round crisis assistance (only mandated to be from April 1 st through May 31) Cooling Program Weatherization Program 8
Questions and Comments Please ask any questions you may have. Are there any comments? 9