Mississippi Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is for low-income households in who can't afford to pay their utility bills. The program offers to pay utility provider on the behalf of household. The program has a straight forward income criterion to issue LIHEAP grants.

LIHEAP provides assistance with heating bills from October 1 to April 30. Grants for cooling bills are available from May 1 to September 30. Households meeting income limits (60% of the state median) and filing applications within the specified period are likely to receive benefits within 30 days. In case of a crisis, households can receive grant throughout the year through Emergency Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP). It helps troubled households to pay cost of their fuel when in danger of running out of it. Households using petroleum, natural gas, electricity, butane/propane gas, or wood as fuel source can receive grants through ECIP if running out of fuel. Applications for ECIP are processed faster compared to regular LIHEAP.

The program offers benefits to eligible households in Mississippi. Households will have to meet income requirements in addition to general program requirements. The income limit for the program is currently set at 60% of the state median income. The program has already received $37,721,958 in initial funding for 2013. The program provided an average benefit of $450 in 2009 and continues to provide grants on the similar pattern.

You can qualify to receive benefits if your energy provider is working with LIHEAP. The program will send grant directly to the energy provider. Alcorn County Electric Power Association, Entergy, Atmos Energy, Mississippi Power, Columbus Light and Water, Tupelo Water and Lights, and Mississippi Valley Gas work with LIHEAP to assist low income households in Mississippi.

To apply for benefits under Mississippi LIHEAP, applicants will need to file an application at their local office of community action agency. You can also apply at your nearest Human Resource Agency. You will have to take certain documents with you that can prove you income and other eligibility claims. A case manager will provide all the needed guidance after you have applied for the program.

Eligibility Requirements

Mississippi LIHEAP requires applicants to meet simple criteria to receive grants.

• You must be a US citizen or a qualified alien

• You must be a resident of Mississippi

• You must need help to pay your utility bills

• You must be the person responsible to pay utility bills

• Your household income must be within the income limits defined by the program

Income guidelines

Households looking to receive grants through Mississippi LIHEAP will have to meet the following income guidelines.

Family size Maximum annual income

Household Size*	Maximum Income Level (Per Year)
1	$8,748
2	$11,832
3	$14,916
4	$18,000
5	$21,084
6	$24,168
7	$27,252
8	$30,336

LIHEAP Application Instructions

To apply for Mississippi LIHEAP, you will have three options

1. Contact Mississippi Department of Human Services (DHS) through your nearest local office and apply for benefits. You can use (link) webpage to find contact information about your local DHS office.

2. Contact your local office of community action agency and file application there. You can locate your nearest community action office using form at this link.

3. Call at 601-359-4500 to talk to a Mississippi DHS representative