Low-income energy bill help (LIHEAP) and weatherization in Mississippi.
Receive help for paying utility bills from the Mississippi Department of Human Services LIHEAP program. The state will often combine cash grants from the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program with free weatherization services. Together these resources help qualified households, the disabled and seniors help pay the cost of home cooling and energy bills as well as other energy related services. Find how to get LIHEAP grants and free weatherization home updates below.
Get grant money for paying utility bills from LIHEAP
The federal government created and funded LIHEAP program is the Division of Community Services most popular financial assistance program. Tens of thousands of families (or single people including mothers and fathers) benefit from it yearly. The government grant funds can be used to pay a variety of utility bills, including heating and summer cooling expenses. The amount of cash that someone receives will vary widely depending on their income levels, number of family members and people in the household, as well as intensity level of energy usage.
If your income and other requirements that are set by the state qualify you for the program, you may be assisted by the following components. There are two main programs in Mississippi, and they include the Energy Crisis Intervention Program, or ECIP, as well as “regular” benefits. Both can pay for air conditioning bills or heating costs, including electricity, natural gas, wood, liquid petroleum propane/butane gas, and more. Some crisis funds may also pay for heating or cooling system repairs.
You will need to apply at a local community action agency in MS, and the local non-profit organization in your county, town, and/or county will process the application and decide if your household's income qualifies you for aid. Your local community action agency is really focused on helping the elderly, seniors, disabled and low-income Mississippians beat the heat and keep their power on.
After all, people living in poverty, facing a hardship or low-income elderly should not have to choose between paying their cooling bills or heating their homes and buying food or prescriptions. Not only are resources limited, but Mississippi households may also be required to meet additional program eligibility criteria in order to receive LIHEAP utility bill assistance. Call 601.359.4500 for more information, or stop by your local community action agency for more details on LIHEAP.
Free weatherization and home improvements in Mississippi
Save money on your energy costs from the Mississippi Weatherization Assistance Program. Eligible homeowners can receive free energy saving measures to their homes or rental units. The program currently focuses on helping the elderly, disabled and low-income families with young children. In addition to free energy efficiency updates that are made, advice, tips, education is also provided for each person who is enrolled into the service, so you can learn the best and most effective ways to save money.
The free weatherization services do a very effective job at reducing reduce the amount of power and energy that is required to cool or even heat a home. Clients can save dollars, the program increases comfort in the home, and addresses health and safety concerns. While savings will vary, many Mississippi homeowners can save a few hundred dollars or so per year on their utility and air conditioning bills.
First and foremost an energy audit of the client’s home will be performed. This is done by a highly trained contractor. After that is done, priority measures will be decided. The Weatherization program can use federal government funds to pay for cost-effective, energy efficiency and conservation measures. As a side benefit, it can also address improve comfort and air quality and health and safety concerns. Some common updates include insulation, caulking, cooling and heating system tune ups, and free CFL light bulbs.
Applying for LIHEAP grants or free energy conservation in Mississippi
The Mississippi Weatherization hotline can be reached at 601.359.4500, so call that number for more information.
|
