Rhode Island Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is the last resort for financially struggling families to pay their high-energy costs. The program offers grants through Community Action Program (CAP) agencies to eligible households. The state lays a roadmap for determining eligibility and then CAPs use that to determine eligibility of applicants for Rhode Island LIHEAP.

Rhode Island LIHEAP will send grants directly to the energy provider after a household has been determined eligible by local CAP. The amount of funds available for a household depends on the household income, number of people living in the household, and cost of energy. The program continues providing benefits to eligible residents of Rhode Island until the LIHEAP funds are exhausted.

With increasing cost of home energy, the low-income households in Rhode Island are finding it difficult to pay their bills during tough weather. The LIHEAP offers assistance through CAPs so that such households can keep their homes at normal temperature during harsh winter. LIHEAP provided grants to roughly 37,000 low-income families in Rhode Island. The program also provides crisis assistance when a family faces emergency situation or needs additional assistance due to medical condition. Households running out of fuel or needing help to maintain their heating equipment are covered under crisis assistance. Over 7,000 families received crisis assistance last year.

Apart from LIHEAP, low-income Rhode Island families can also apply for other energy assistance programs to cover their high energy costs. The programs available are JOE-4-Oil, Good Neighbor Energy Fund, Keeping the Heat On, Budget Payment Plan, and Oil Co-op. Each of these program has its own requirements. Being LIHEAP qualified doesn't mean you qualify for any of these additional programs. You will have to apply to these programs to see if you are eligible for the specific program.

Households looking to receive LIHEAP grants will have to meet various program requirements. In addition to general program requirements, households will also have to be income eligible to receive grants through the program.

Eligibility Requirements

In order to receive Rhode Island LIHEAP assistance, you will have to meet the following requirements:

• You must be a U.S citizen or a qualified alien

• You must be a resident of Rhode Island

• You must have high energy expenses that are beyond your income

• You must meet income guidelines for the program

Income guidelines

Here is a chart showing annual household income limits for Rhode Island LIHEAP.

Household size Annual income limit

1. $27,482

2. $35,938

3. $44,394

4. $52,850

5. $61,306

6. $69,762

7. $71,348

8. $72,933

9. $74,519

10. $76,104

11. $77,690

12. $79,275

You can view the complete income chart with details for 3-month and 1-month income details here.

LIHEAP Application Instructions

In order to apply for Rhode Island LIHEAP assistance, you will need to visit your local office of Community Action Program (CAP) agency. You can find a list of CAP offices in Rhode Island using this link.

When you visit your local CAP office, you will have to make sure that you take a recent copy of your utility bill with you. You will also need to take your payroll stub with you so that you can prove your income eligibility. You will also need to establish proof of your residence while visiting your local CAP to apply for LIHEAP assistance. The best way to know what to take with you is to call LIHEAP helpline at (401) 574-9100, and ask for all the documents that you may have to exhibit at the interview.