LIHEAP Energy Assistance Program for Felons

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Energy bills are something that everyone will have, because it would be difficult to try and go without heating, cooling, and electricity. When it comes to being able to pay the utility bills each winter, it can become quite costly. Felons who experience financial difficulty may need assistance paying for their energy bills. The good news is that there is a program in place that will help felons pay for energy bills.

Heating and cooling bills vary by state. Felons who live in states that get cold winters or hot summers will have higher energy bills.  It’s estimated that the average household gas heating bill per winter is around $600, electricity is almost $900, and oil for heating is nearly $2,100. Felons who experience financial difficulty may not be able to pay their energy bill throughout the winter, which is essential to keeping the heat going. That’s where LIHEAP comes in.

LIHEAP Energy Assistance Program for Felons

Felons who need help paying for energy bills may qualify for a grant through the program called Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). This program is federally funded and helps felons by paying for one energy bill per year. This means if you have a heating bill that is a behind a couple of months you can help paying for that bill if you meet the program requirements.

If you are approved for the LIHEAP grant, you will not receive the funds directly. They will be paid right to the energy provider on your behalf. Once the funds are received by the energy provider, they will apply it to your account, and you will see that you no longer owe that amount of money on your energy bill. Many felons receive help paying their energy bills through the LIHEAP program each year.

LIHEAP is funded by a yearly block grant. This means that the federal government gives each state a set amount of money each year that can be used to pay energy bills for those with a low income. Once that money runs out, the state will not have any more funds to pay bills until the following year when they get another block grant from the federal government.

What this means is that felons who need help paying their energy bill should apply for assistance right away. Since the funds are given out on a first come basis, you don’t want to wait to ask for the help, because there may not be any money left at that point. The sooner you can get your application in for assistance, the better off you will be.

How to Apply for a LIHEAP Grant

LIHEAP grants are given out in every state. They are typically administered by social service offices. You will need to locate the office in your area where the LIHEAP grants are administered. They will explain how you have to apply in order to be considered for the grant. To locate a LIHEAP office near you, click here.

Once you locate the office where LIHEAP is administered in your area, you will need to apply for an energy grant. Felons who are approved for the grant will have all or part of their energy bill paid for. Many of the programs also offer emergency energy assistance. This is helpful for felons who have received a shutoff notice and need immediate help paying for their energy bill.

Another service that LIHEAP often pays for is weatherization. When you have weatherization services performed on your house they will make your home more energy efficient. This will help to reduce your monthly energy bills. Weatherization is a great way to save money on your energy bills all year long, so be sure to take advantage of the free help to improve energy efficiency at your home.

Who Can Receive LIHEAP Grants

Felons who have a low income may be qualified to receive a LIHEAP grant that will pay for energy bills. The qualification requirements to receive help paying for your energy bill is that you meet the low income requirements and you are the one responsible for paying the energy bill.

Every state varies as to which months they accept LIHEAP applications. You will need to get your application in during that time frame. You will need to re-apply for a grant each year that you need the assistance.

Millions of people, including many felons, receive LIHEAP grants each year to help pay for energy bills. The LIHEAP program is a good way to get help paying the bills. Plus, since it’s a grant, you will not ever have to pay the funds back. The grant is considered to be a gift to help during difficult financial times.

To learn more about the LIHEAP program and find your local administrative office, click here.