Low Income Energy Assistance Program

[Admin - Jon McNamara]

We can definitely point you in the right direction for an energy program. But if your home was foreclosed, what good is getting help there? Wouldn't you rather want assistance if/when you move to a new place. As the companies will rarely provide assistance multiple times, so you need to be cautious in how often you apply for help with your utility bills. Also, if you have a 19 year old, is he working? Tat income could also help you. In addition, locate the programs to help with energy bills for struggling customers. There is everything from payment plans for EMC as well as cash grants and more.

[Momar]

I need assistance in paying my energy bill. I have called HEAP twice in the last 2 weeks after hours, when the office was really closed, but have yet to receive a call. I have received a 48 hour notice of shut off and I’m not sure what to do at this point. My son who is asthmatic has to depend on his nebulizer daily which is really using up my energy. Can you please help?

[Chevy]

Energy help needed from LIHEAP as have disconnect notice. I have trouble paying rent, and no money for anything else. I need food, gas, car payments a hit & miss, and I have been pushed. My income was dropped by employer, then lost job. I have used every 'dime' we had stuffed way, and am now broke. Have skills & opportunity for extra income, but no money to get in the door. Could be changing our lives and others lives too, but instead this is killing us. I would be a 'pay forwarder'.

[Terese]

Good day,
I am currently looking for assistance to pay a portion of my rent. I have paid 340 towards the 1,025 due on the first however, I am now unemployed and have no way of paying the rest or my light bill that I now have a disconnection notice for on Monday. I planned to be at the HEAP office before 8AM on Monday to see if I can get assistance with that.
I went this Monday, January 7th however, the office was closed for training.
I called in on Tuesday and spoke with a young lady that was extremely unhelpful and rather unpleasant. This was hurtful to me as it is already hard enough as a person to need help but to have someone make me feel so horrible about it, is unfair and not at all compassionate. I have been gainfully employed all of my life until the end of December when my job completely shut down so it isn't as if I have lived off the system all of my life I just need help until I find another job.
I would like to know about going in and getting some help soon please.

[Medtronoc]

I don’t know who else to turn to. I have a Judgment against me since 2007 with We Energies Comp. I’m trying to pay this bill with them and have called three times trying to paying it off as the Judgment was for the amount of $1,998. And now with interest it when up to $3,134. I need help with this bill and I don’t know who else to turn too with this problem.
I can for sure pay more than half but We Energy are not trying to hear me. Instead they afford me a monthly payment as part of LIHEAP for only 12 months of $269. I can’t pay this off each month. I’m just trying to pay the full amount and clear it from my credit report as I’m trying to build my credit to be a first time homeowner. I’m a single mother of 4 children trying to make it and provide a good future for them as a low income family. I truly appreciated it if there is any grant out there that would help me with this bill or if you can guide me in the right direction for other help. Thank you!

[sasolis]

Call your utility company and ask them where you apply for help.

[Medtronoc]

I live in Bay Point, CA was looking to get help with my PG&E bill from LIHEAP. I'm not sure if I'm contacting the right place. If I am can you please contact me via phone or email and let me know if there's anything you can help with to pay my bill I'm afraid I'm running out of time and simply cannot keep up with this bill on my income. Thank you for your time, you can call me, email me. Again thank you for your time and if I'm in the wrong place I deeply apologize.

[Admin - Jon McNamara]

Sorry, we don't know what LP is. Regardless, like any government subsidy, there are conditions for LIHEAP and funds are limited. You should like at anything it does pay as a bonus...not something your niece should be entitled too. In other words, any dollar that the government or any agency for that matters pays you be looked on with appreciation and gratitude. For more information on the Illinois, read more. http://www.needhelppayingbills.com/html ... eriza.html

[Lackey]

Hello,

My family and I are going through a horrible time. My parents lost their home in June 2013 and since we have rented a home together. Since moving into this home everything has gone down hill. I lost my job and I am searching with no luck just yet......our power is being shut off and as you may know Arizona is hot I am so lost and not sure what to do our to help myself. I have reached out the APS the power company and they said they can't help me and now on top of my $922.00 bill I have to pay a $515.00 deposit!!! We applied for LIHEAP but were rejected. Please guide me as I am lost and ready to give up!! Thank you for listening and I live in Tucson, Arizona.

[Admin - Jon McNamara]

Lee County residents can apply for the state of Florida LIHEAP program. It even has a component that can help pay cooling and air conditioning bills. The best place to call is your local social service office or community action agency. The application process is extensive, and you will need to meet income requirements, but LIHEAP just may be able to provide you that grant you need. Read Florida LIHEAP assistance.

[Fancyone]

Hello,
I just talked with my niece who lives in Rock City, IL, is low-income and has 3 children. I was appalled to find out that LIHEAP does not cover LP heating costs. Is this true? If so, what alternatives are available to people who live in the country? She has no email and so I am serving as proxy for her.

[Fancyone]

Dear Folks

Thanks ahead of time for your help! I've been looking over the needhelppayingbills site, and it takes me in circles, with no real direct help--but maybe I am missing out on the right link? Can you provide any details or #s on what and who to call about getting rent and/or utilities help? I used to get HEAP help with utilities in my Hollywood apartment, but then the HEAP stopped for two years in Hollywood. Apparently it started back up for all areas, but then the HEAP Hollywood link is blocked or not in service, despite what all the other neighborhoods. I've called the HEAP Hollywood for 3 years now with nobody ever calling back. ANYWAY, I'd love to hear about any links to any assistance to help pay utilities or offer small amounts to help with rent. Thanks and God Bless!

[Plaskey]

My family and I are in need of Energy Assistance. We are living in a single-family home that has been foreclosed on and we are in the process of looking for another place to stay. We are currently on Carroll EMC prepaid electricity, and we are having a hard time trying to keep the bill going. We had a regular bill, but due to some issues with the electrical surge within the home, the owner of the property did not try to have anything fixed. My boyfriend and I have been trying to maintain the up keep of the home, and with three children in the home (19 year old, 15 year old, and (5 year old-special needs), it has been very hard. Right now, my electricity could be disconnected at anytime, due to the lack of funds to keep it in service. If there is any way possible, could you please point me in the right direction to get assistance? I would gratefully appreciate it.

[Ashley Redd]

I am a single mom of three trying to get on my feet. After the storm I realized I am running out of fuel. I contacted my local social services dept to try and obtain HEAP. I was told that it was not open and they couldn’t help. I have a four year old daughter and was wondering if you knew of any way I can receive help getting fuel to keep my child warm. I will not make it until the heap opens up her in Putnam County NY. The people here are rude and do not like to do their jobs, they always give you the run around or send you to someone else. If there is any possible way you can point me in the right direction it would be greatly appreciated. I never realized fuel had gotten so low after Hurricane Sandy because we lost power for six days. Now I really need help I rent and do not want to ruin the furnace. So if you can get back to me ASAP it would really appreciate it.

[Soccerlover]

Please be advised my brother whom has 4 children has been told by LIHEAP/Lee County Human Services that he qualifies for electric assistance "on his ready to be cut off electricity bill." However, I have been with him the last 2 Fridays (including this one that just past, OCtober 28th) where he begins to call at 7:57a and either it is busy OR when someone picks up, your personnel have hung up on him. He only needs an appointment as he is in a crisis. If someone can please try to assist him and his children, he can be reached at this email and ask for him. That is the least I can do. Thank you for your attention.

[SteveLehman]

I need assistance paying my Westar Energy bill. I am engaged to a woman and we have 3 children, one being autistic living in the house. I have already utilized the Westar Energy payment plan and LIHEAP 3 months ago to break one bill into 12 monthly payments. Neither of us is employed at this time and we struggling My Westar Energy Bill is due no later than October 20th 2012 My bill is $286.60.

[Admin - Jon McNamara]

You do need to keep calling. We also recommend driving to your local office, as harder to be ignored in face to face conversation. Also try your local community action agency, as they my be able to accept LIHEAP applications. Find extensive information on all of your options and assistance programs here, at Maryland utilities.

Hello,
I have called churches, tried to get assistance from community assistance who won't help me unless I can get a copy of denial letters from my application a few months ago for Maryland Energy Assistance Program and Electric Universal Service Program in Maryland. I am soooooooo sick of calling Department of Social Services and leaving
a message for nothing because they won't call me back. How do I apply for LIHEAP, and can someone help. 1 person, 1 house, 1 paycheck equals not enough money.

[Lisbon]

Hello,
I have called churches, tried to get assistance from community assistance who won't help me unless I can get a copy of denial letters from my application a few months ago for Maryland Energy Assistance Program and Electric Universal Service Program in Maryland. I am soooooooo sick of calling Department of Social Services and leaving
a message for nothing because they won't call me back. How do I apply for LIHEAP, and can someone help. 1 person, 1 house, 1 paycheck equals not enough money.

[Admin - Jon McNamara]

What you should do is call the agency you applied at for LIHEAP. Maybe your local community action agency or social services. Our site has general information, and the specifics of many programs and assistance programs vary by state, applicants income level, and many other conditions and criteria. Anyway, here is some more general information on LIHEAP. Anyone should always read the fine print before signing up for anything.

Hello,
I was under the impression that a Liheap grant would help pay for my energy bills as stated on your site "through winter and summer months". My oil company, Aero Energy received the $100 from you but will not apply it to my monthly budget payments. Instead they say it is their policy to just add it to the end running total. This has caused me to run low on oil and have hold placed on my account simply because I am "$100" short on one budget payment. My balance is actually + $28.00 credit so they referred me to the crisis line which will probably just make them deliver anyway. I find this unfair and would like you to inform them that the $100 cash is just that. A $100 cash payment to help me stay current. I feel they should accept it as if it was payment from me towards my current bills and not my balance.

[Pintos]

Hello,
I was under the impression that a Liheap grant would help pay for my energy bills as stated on your site "through winter and summer months". My oil company, Aero Energy received the $100 from you but will not apply it to my monthly budget payments. Instead they say it is their policy to just add it to the end running total. This has caused me to run low on oil and have hold placed on my account simply because I am "$100" short on one budget payment. My balance is actually + $28.00 credit so they referred me to the crisis line which will probably just make them deliver anyway. I find this unfair and would like you to inform them that the $100 cash is just that. A $100 cash payment to help me stay current. I feel they should accept it as if it was payment from me towards my current bills and not my balance.