LOW-INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (LIHEAP)

LIHEAP is a federal program that provides assistance to eligible low-income households to manage and meet their immediate home heating and/or cooling needs.

LIHEAP offers several kinds of services to help low-income households meet their home energy needs. These services include:

• The Home Energy Assistance program (HEAP) provides one-time financial assistance to help offset an eligible household's energy costs (utility bill).
• The Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP) provides assistance to low-income households that are in a crisis situation. Examples include household that has received a 24-48 hour disconnect notice or service termination by its utility company or a household facing an energy-related crisis of life-threatening emergency in the applicant's household, including a combustible appliance. 
• LIHEAP Weatherization provides free energy efficiency upgrades to low-income households to lower their monthly utility bills, while improving the health and safety of the household’s occupants.

Another service offered as a component to other LIHEAP services includes energy budget counseling, education on basic energy efficiency practices and instruction on the proper use and maintenance of installed weatherization measures.
 

• Have you received a 24- to 48- hour disconnect notice or service termination from your utility company?
• Do you need financial assistance in paying your utility bill?
• Do you think home energy efficiency upgrades would help lower your monthly utility bill?

If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, you may benefit from LIHEAP services.

For more information and to apply for these services, visit the California Department of Community Service and Development 

• California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE)- Provides a 30-35% discount on your utility bill.
• The Family Eletric Rate Assistance Program (FERA)- Bills some of your electricity usage at a lower rate.
• Energy Savings Assistance Program- Provides no-cost weatherization services.
• Discounts, Payment Plans, and Assistance Paying Your Bill - Some utilities offer payment assistance programs for their customers.
• Medical Baseline - Extra allowances of energy are billed at the lowest rate for customers who rely on medical-related equipment.
• Federal Low-Income Programs - Administered by the Department of Community Services and Development (CSD)

For more information and to apply for these services, contact your local utility company.