LIHEAP Crisis Assistance Available for Eligible Texans

February 26, 2021 – With the recent power outages following severe winter conditions in Texas, many utility customers have found themselves in need of assistance with their bills. Crisis assistance is one type of LIHEAP assistance that applicants may be eligible to receive.

To be eligible for LIHEAP crisis benefits, an applicant must fit that state’s defined definitions for what constitutes a crisis or life-threatening emergency. These definitions vary from grantee to grantee. In Texas, a crisis is defined as:

OCS Welcomes New Director

February 19, 2021 – The Office of Community Services (OCS) has announced the welcoming of Dr. Lanikque Howard as the new OCS Director. The Director in the Office of Community Services, Administration for Children and Families (ACF), provides oversight and leadership of over $6 billion in discretionary and mandatory grants.

KS Share the Warmth Program Helps Low Income Utility Customers

February 12, 2021 – The Kansas Share the Warmth Program is helping low-income utility customers pay their heating bills during the cold, winter months. The Share the Warmth Program assistance is available to households in the service area of Kansas Gas Service.

CAPNA Receives $2.57 Million for Energy Assistance

February 5, 2021 – The Community Action Partnership of North Alabama (CAPNA) has received grant funding from the state in the amount of $2.57 million to assist low-income households pay their utility bills. CAPNA, along with 18 other community service agencies in Alabama, received funding that totaled $47.8 million.

West Virginia Extends Energy Assistance Application Date

January 29, 2021 – The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Services (WVDHHS) has announced that the deadline for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) until Feb. 5, 2020. Washington’s LIHEAP program also extended their deadline to Jan. 29, 2020.

AL LIHEAP Offers Disaster Relief CARES Program Assistance

January 22, 2021 – The Etowah Community Action Agency in Alabama is now scheduling appointments for low-income households to apply for disaster-relief funds through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) CARES Program.

MI Hosts Annual Walk for Warmth Event

January 15, 2021 – Michigan’s annual Walk for Warmth event is being hosted this year from Feb. 6 through Feb. 12 through the Ottawa County Community Action Agency. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event will be held virtually this year, allowing participants to walk or run in an area of their choosing as opposed to the designated routes in previous years.

AL LIHEAP Disaster Relief CARES Program Now Available

January 8, 2021 – Utility assistance is now available through Alabama’s LIHEAP Disaster Relief Program for households that have been affected by the COVID pandemic. Appointment can be made to apply for these disaster relief funds starting on Monday, January 11.

Applicants must have been directly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic to qualify for benefits. Benefits for this program may be up to $1000 and are paid directly to the supplier.

40 Percent Increase in Funding for MD LIHEAP

December 31, 2020 – The Maryland Energy Assistance Program (MEAP) will have approximately 40 percent more funding for FY21 than FY20.

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan said there will be more than $154 million available through various programs to help people pay their heat, electric and gas bills. For FY20, that amount was $110 million.

Ameren MO Voluntarily Suspends Disconnections Through Jan 1

December 18, 2020 – Ameren Missouri is voluntarily suspending the utility disconnections for their customers until January 1, 2021. Officials from Ameren encourage customers to still pay their utility bills to avoid large debts next year when disconnect protections are lifted.

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