LIHEAP is a Federally-funded program that assists low-income families in the state of California with their home energy bills. It helps them stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer. By so doing, families reduce the risk of health and safety. Residents who are unable to pay their energy bills are likely to resort to dangerous methods just to keep their households warm or cool. Use of stoves, fireplace, barbecue grills, and general overloading of electrical circuits exposes families to fire hazards and carbon monoxide poisoning.

LIHEAP is important to all residents who receive it, but much more to family members who are either elderly, disabled or children below 6 years old. These residents are especially likely to suffer life threatening illness or death if their homes are too cold in the winter or too hot in summer.

Assistance offered by LIHEAP include; Bill payment, Energy crisis assistance and energy-related home repairs. Currently, California is receiving a share of about $150 million annually which is distributed to contracted community energy service providers.

Eligibility Requirements

Any California LIHEAP agency near you determines if your household's income qualifies for the program. In order to qualify for this program, you must be a resident of the state of California and in need financial assistance for home energy costs. Information and documentation required include

1. Recent copies of your utility bills.
2. A recent payroll slip or other proof that shows your current income before tax.
3. Documentation showing income from Social Security, Unemployment Insurance, Pension Funds, disability, etc.
4. Utility termination notice that is if you have received a disconnection notice from your energy company.
5. Proof of current residential address which may include; rent receipt, lease or deed, property tax bill, etc.
6. Proof of total members living in your household using birth certificates, school records, social security cards living in your home, etc.
7. Proof of U.S. citizenship or permanent residence.
8. Have an yearly household income below the following amounts before taxes:

Household Size	Annual Income
1	$29,173
2	$38,149
3	$47,125
4	$56,101
5	$65,077
6	$74,053
7	$75,736
8	$77,419
More than 9	$79,102
Each additional person	$1,683

LIHEAP Application Instructions

To enroll for the California LIHEAP program, you have to complete a LIHEAP application. Fill out the mandatory energy assistance application form accurately. Include all your sources of income to enable the energy assistance office determine if you qualify for the low income energy assistance. Application can be done over the phone by dialing.

Online Application

Click here to begin an Online Application.

Call

1-866-675-6623 - Toll free Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m.- 5 p.m. (Mountain Time) and speak to a State representative

Mail

LIHEAP hand filled applications must be mailed to the LIHEAP office in order to receive your energy assistance benefit. You can get the address for your energy assistance office by calling 1-866-675-6623 - Toll free Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m.- 5 p.m. (Mountain Time) and speak to a State representative

Email

[email protected]

Once you are LIHEAP approved and have been considered to be of low income, you will start receiving energy assistance on your energy bill. Remember to alert the energy assistance office in California who your energy provider is so that your bills can be adjusted according to your energy assistance benefit. LIHEAP will either reduce your electric bill or pay for the entire bill.