LiHEAP South Carolina

LIHEAP in South Carolina

The state of South Carolina, as well as the federal government, has provided services to residents that heed help with heating and cooling expenses. The service is South Carolina LIHEAP. This program is funded by the federal government. The funding goes directly to the state office of Economic Opportunity and to utility companies that support LIHEAP in South Carolina. Eventually individuals and families receive assistance after completing the required forms and submitting the application. LIHEAP in South Carolina has provided assistance to 18,218 residents, as of 2009. As well as state agencies, you can receive South Carolina LIHEAP assistance from the following utility companies:

• Aiken Electric Co-op
• Duke Power
• Fairfield Electric Co-op
• Mid-Carolina Electric Co-op
• Orangeburg Department of Public Utilities
• Palmetto Electric Co-op
• Pee Dee Electric Co-op
• Piedmont Natural Gas
• South Carolina Electric and Gas
• York Electric Co-op

South Carolina LIHEAP Assistance

When individuals and families need to apply for South Carolina LIHEAP assistance, the main resources are the South Carolina Office of Economic Opportunity and South Carolina Community Action Agencies. When applying for assistance, residents must remember that LIHEAP in South Carolina does not reach out to residents, but in turn requires residents to apply on a yearly basis. The process involves applying and submitting the application with the appropriate financial information. When your application is accepted, the funding covers your cooling and heating expenses. As of 2011, South Carolina provided $225 (minimum) and $500 (maximum) to cover heating and cooling expenses.

In the event you are approved for South Carolina LIHEAP funding and find that the amount will not cover your energy expenses, you should contact your local utility provider for additional services.

LIHEAP Application & How to Apply

The applications for South Carolina LIHEAP are accepted year-round for crisis expenses, heating and cooling expenses. Since the application is open throughout the year, the funding is distributed throughout the year as well. Although the application period does not close, you should apply for funding as early as possible due to limited funding from the federal government.

The two main resources to apply for South Carolina benefits are the Office of Economic Opportunity and local Community Action Agencies. An additional resource is your local utility provider. For information regarding the application process and the information needed to apply for South Carolina LIHEAP, call the South Carolina Administering Agency at 803-734-0662.

LIHEAP Eligibility – Am I Eligible?

In order to qualify for South Carolina LIHEAP benefits, you or your household must meet federal income guidelines. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services set the income requirements for South Carolina LIHEAP at 150% of the federal poverty level.

Families and households with more than eight members must add $5,730 for each additional member at the current rate of 150% of the federal poverty level.

Call the South Carolina Office of Economic Opportunity or your local utility company if you fall within the federal income guidelines and need to apply for LIHEAP in South Carolina.