What Is Energy Assistance?
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What is energy assistance?
Energy Assistance is a government program to help low-income families pay their home heating and cooling bills. It also offers crisis intervention for households in emergency situations (utility disconnect notices, no fuel delivery, etc.) The program was started so that low-income people would not have to choose between heating their homes or buying food or other things they need. The official name of the program is the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
Some people who get LIHEAP benefits also qualify for other related energy assistance programs:
- free weatherization services to lower your fuel bills (for example, insulation and weather-stripping).
- heating system repair or replacement, for homeowners whose heating units don't work or are unsafe.
- LITAP discount rates with telephone companies (Low Income Telephone Assistance Program).
- discounts from propane dealers.
- home energy use analysis, offered by the utility companies, to help you find ways to lower your energy bills.
Who funds and who runs the energy assistance program?
Funding for the LIHEAP program comes in the form of a block grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in the federal government.
In New Mexico, the state LIHEAP program is administered by the Income Support Division (ISD) of the Human Services Department (HSD). ISD offices are in charge of taking applications, determining eligibility, making payments, and handling all other matters concerning the energy assistance program.
Tribal organizations with LIHEAP programs receive part of the state LIHEAP funds and run their programs independently.
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