Energy Fund Offers Help for Low-Income Families

For many Californians, steeper costs for heating this winter will be paid with disposable income. For others, however, they mean piling on extra clothes, shutting down appliances and maybe even skipping a meal or two.

For years, the U.S. Department Health and Human Services has been providing grants that help the neediest Americans keep warm during winter. This year, a total of $1.8 billion in funds has been earmarked for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, which provides states with money to help low-income families with energy costs.

Nearly half of that amount has been issued since September in response to rising energy bills. The program also provides money to repair or replace broken furnaces.

In 1999, the last year for which records were available, the program helped nearly 3.4 million Americans with heating costs.

You can use LIHEAP’s Web site at https://www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/liheap/ to track down the phone numbers and addresses of state officials who can help determine whether you qualify for federal assistance. Eligibility requirements vary from state to state, so it’s important to check your area.

For other energy help, the U.S. Department of Energy is providing a home-heating assistance hotline, which will refer consumers to state officials who can tell whether they qualify for energy assistance benefits or the Department of Energy’s Weatherization Program.

Consumers can also get information on how to lower their energy bills by calling a toll-free consumer line: (800) DIAL-DOE.