Enrollment opens for summer cooling Energy Assistance program

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) - According to Oklahoma Human Services, enrollment is now open for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

OHS says LIHEAP is a federally funded program that assists income-eligible families with summer cooling utility bills.

The program is available twice a year for winter heating and summer cooling. Also available is the Energy Crisis Assistance Program (ECAP), offered in mid-March alongside life-threatening crisis assistance available year-round.

Eligible households who are already receiving help from the OHS may be pre-approved to get LIHEAP for the summer and will not need to submit an application. Households that are not pre-approved but are receiving assistance from OHS may have been alerted through text and can apply online at OKDHSLive.org.

According to OHS, only one payment is allowed per year, per household for the program. Payments for LIHEAP made on behalf of eligible households, or people using one utility meter or energy source, must be applied for to the main source of cooling.

Officials say Native American households can apply on OKDHSLive.org or through their tribal nation. Tribal households are unable to get summer cooling from both OHS and their tribe during the same federal fiscal year.

LIHEAP Income Eligibility Guidelines:

The maximum monthly gross income allowed per household size is:

• 1 person: $1,580
• 2 people: $2,137
• 3 people: $2,694
• 4 people: $3,250
• 5 people: $3,807
• 6 people: $4,364
• 7 people: $4,921
• 8 people: $5,478

Those applying for the program will need to have their most recent cooling bill information for their home and utility supplier. They will also need identification, their social security number and proof of income.

Applicants will need to enter all of their utility information as it appears on the bill. To learn more, visit OKDHSLive.org.