Individuals over the age of 60 can get assistance with heating and utility bills.
There are a variety of programs available that provide grants to help elderly citizens over the age of 60 pay heating or utility bills. Utility bills are included in grants providing heating because many citizens rely on electric heat, and would be without heat if their electricity were turned off.
Grants in varying amounts can be applied for and received from the federal government, state governments and even utility companies.
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
Often referred to as LIHEAP or HEAP, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program is a federally funded program providing grant money to low income households that need help paying utility bills.
According to the U.S. Administration for Children & Families, every year LIHEAP grants are awarded to "all 50 states, the District of Columbia, five territories and about 140 Tribes and Tribal organizations."
Though any household that qualifies as low income in the state of residence is eligible for LIHEAP, special consideration is given to households with members who are elderly or young children.
Citizens who want to apply for LIHEAP grants will need to contact the Department of Children and Families in their state.
Administration for Children and Families
370 L'Enfant Promenade, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20447
202-401-9351
www.acf.hhs.gov
Utility Company Programs
These programs, which go by various names depending on the specific utility company, were created as a segment of the LIHEAP program. LIHEAP provides funding for utility companies to offer grants, discounted services and repairs to elderly, disabled and otherwise needy.
Recipients must meet LIHEAP guidelines in addition to meeting the specific program guidelines. Individuals can call their utility companies Individuals who are accepted into this type of program may be eligible to receive discounts on utility service and debt forgiveness for monthly payments that are made on time and full.
A state-specific list of programs is available at the Utility Bill Assistance website (see Resources).
Neighbor-4-Neighbor
Neighbor-4-Neighbor is the name for an assortment of programs that will provide utility assistance to the elderly in certain areas of the country. Programs exist in various states including New York, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Oklahoma. These organizations may provide up to $300 a year toward paying utility bills. Assistance is available to individuals who are 60 years old, disabled, needy, low-income or have suffered a medical emergency.
Oil Heat Program
Citizens Energy, a major gas and utility company servings residents in Indiana, New Jersey, New York, Vermont, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Delaware, Alaska, Maryland, Massachusetts, Maine, Michigan, New Hampshire, Wisconsin, Rhode Island, and Washington D.C., has the Oil Heat Program to provide free home heating oil to those in need.
This is not technically a grant, because it gives heating oil rather than money or vouchers, but the program will provide up to 100 free gallons of heating oil to qualifying individuals and families, whether or not they meet LIHEAP requirements.
Citizens Energy Corporation
88 Black Falcon Avenue, Suite 342
Boston, Massachusetts 02210
617-338-6300
citizensenergy.com
Tags: utility bills, Children Families, utility companies, Administration Children, Administration Children Families, Assistance Program, Citizens Energy
