September 5, 2019 – Households who find themselves in the path of natural disasters may be eligible for crisis assistance through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Crisis assistance benefits vary from state to state, so it is important that a household find out what they may qualify for in their area. Households can view crisis assistance benefits for LIHEAP in their area on the LIHEAP Clearinghouse web site.
Florida offers a crisis assistance benefit of $600 for both winter and summer. Some qualifications of a crisis in Florida are: the applicant’s home cooling or heating source has been cut off, the applicant is in danger of being out of heating fuel and unable to get fuel delivered.
In Georgia, a crisis is determined when a low-income household is facing imminent disconnection and/or needs restoration of their heating or cooling source. A crisis may also result from a weather-related emergency, which affects all, or a specific area of the state.
South Carolina offers a year-round crisis benefit of $1,000. Energy crisis is defined as weather-related and/or supply shortage emergencies and other household energy-related emergencies.
If you are in need of crisis assistance, contact your local energy assistance office to find out what aid might be available and how to qualify. You can find contact information here.
To learn more about crisis assistance benefits in your state, visit the LIHEAP Clearinghouse web site.
