LIHEAP Vermont

LIHEAP in Vermont

When residents of Vermont need assistance paying heating costs, the state provides LIHEAP, the low-income home energy assistance program. This program is funded by the federal government with funding then passed along to the state government. After individuals and families are approved for Vermont LIHEAP assistance, the funding is passed along to the Department of Children and families of your utility company. The utility companies and agencies that support Vermont LIHEAP include:

• Green Mountain Power
• Central Vermont Public Service
• Central Vermont Community Action Council, Inc.
• Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity, Inc.
• North East Kingdom Community Action
• Southeastern Vermont Community Action, Inc.
• Vermont Community Action Directors Association

Vermont LIHEAP Assistance

Vermont Department of Children and Families and Vermont Community Assisters provide Vermont LIHEAP assistance to residents in need, specifically with heating expenses and crisis situations. Due to the short window of available funding, individuals and families should apply early and often.

After individuals and families apply for funding, they will be either approved of denied assistance. When your application is approved, the Vermont LIHEAP funds are distributed to the Vermont Department of Children and Families or your local utility company. The average Vermont LIHEAP benefit amount provided to individuals and families is $866 to cover heating expenses.

LIHEAP Application & How to Apply

You have the ability to apply for Vermont LIHEAP assistance throughout the year, but the funding is only dispersed during select dates. If you or your family qualifies for heating assistance, you will receive heating expense funding between July 6 and February 28. Crisis utility payments arrive between November 28 and April 30.

You can apply for LIHEAP in Vermont by contacting your local utility company or the Department of Children and Families at 1-800-479-6151 or 802-828-6896.

LIHEAP Eligibility – Am I Eligible?

The federal government established the income guidelines for recipients of LIHEAP in Vermont assistance funding. The specific poverty levels established are 185% of the poverty level for heating assistance and 200% of the federal poverty level for crisis assistance. The Department of Children and families, a division of the Department of Human Services, established the following qualifying levels.

Families with more than eight members must add an additional $7,067 at established 185% of the federal poverty level.

Families with more than eight members must add an additional $7,640 at the current poverty level of 200%.

If you or your family fall within the poverty levels stated above, call your local utility company or the Department of Children and family services for LIHEAP in Vermont assistance.