LIHEAP California

LIHEAP in California

The United States Federal Government supplies money for the LIHEAP program to all 50 states. LIHEAP, or low income home energy assistance program, is an income-based program designed to ease the burden of heating and cooling costs for low-income families. Program income guidelines are based on 150% of the federal poverty level or 60% of the state median income, depending on the income of the state. LIHEAP works in conjunction with state utility companies, including:

• Alameda Municipal Power
• Alpine Natural Gas
• Anaheim Public Utilities
• Azusa Light and Water
• Bear Valley Electric
• Burbank Water and Power
• City of Banning
• City of Colton
• City of Healdsburg
• City of Palo Alto
• City of Santa Clara
• City of Shasta
• City of Ukiah
• Glendale Water & Power
• Imperial Irrigation District
• Lassen Municipal Utilities District
• Lodi Electric Utility
• Lompoc City Electric
• Long Beach Gas & Oil
• Los Angeles Department of Water & Power
• Modesto Irrigation District
• Pacific Gas & Electric
• Pacific Power
• Pasadena Water and Power
• Redding Electric Utility
• Riverside Public Utilities
• Roseville Electric
• San Diego Gas and Electric
• Sacramento Municipal Utility District
• Sierra Pacific Power Company
• Silicon Valley Power
• Southern California Edison
• Southern California Gas

California LIHEAP Assistance

California is a state of warm summers and mild winters but that doesn’t mean residents don’t have a need for heating and cooling support. In 2012 the federal government granted more than $115 million for the California LIHEAP program. On average about 245,000 households are accepted into the LIHEAP program.

The California LIHEAP program is run by the California Department of Community Services and Development. Residents can call 1-866-675-6623 for information on the program and to request a LIHEAP application. Community action agencies are also available in many California counties to support residents with LIHEAP applications and additional information on other supportive programs.

LIHEAP Application & How to Apply

LIHEAP applications are accepting year-round for heating and crisis situations. The average benefit, if accepted, is $224. Monies are paid directly to utility companies twice per year. If you are in a crisis situation, contact the Department of Community Services and Development immediately at 1-866-675-6623 to submit a crisis application. There is a maximum crisis benefit of $1,000. General LIHEAP applications can take more than 30 days to process.

LIHEAP Eligibility – Am I Eligible?

After reviewing the eligibility chart below, if you qualify for LIHEAP based on income, contact the California Department of Community Services and Development at 1-866-675-6623.Income guidelines are based on the median state income, estimated at $78,666 for the 2011/2012 application year. Income guidelines for California LIHEAP are based on 60% of the median income.

The state median income is $78,666 so 60% of that income estimate is $47,199. A family of six can earn 132% of the state median income and remain eligible for LIHEAP in California. If your family size is larger than six persons, add an additional 3% onto the total maximum income. For instance, a family of seven can earn 135% of 60% of the state median income or $63,719.