Good Nesting
Financial Help

Is Your Energy Bill Too High? LIHEAP Can Help

Good Nesting
3 min read

The cost of everything is going up, and that includes your energy bill.

If you dread seeing that bill arrive in the mail, here’s one program and several tips that can help make it more manageable.

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

A big utility bill can make it harder to cover your other expenses. And if you live in a place with extreme weather during the winter or summer months, it’s no secret that your energy bill can get quite high.

That’s where LIHEAP can come in handy, as it’s a government program that offers energy bill assistance. Will qualifying for LIHEAP mean you never have to pay a penny for electricity? No, as the program is designed to help cover cooling and heating costs. In other words, you will still be responsible for some energy costs, but by eliminating cooling and heating, you can see a massive reduction in your bill.

Beyond covering cooling and heating costs, LIHEAP can also make your home more energy-efficient. Doing so can lower your overall costs in the future, which can help you stack your savings.

For example, if you have windows or doors with significant gaps around the edges, that lack of a proper seal can let costly warm or cold air leak out of your house. That can cause your furnace or AC to work overtime, which can drive up your costs and cause your systems to malfunction prematurely. With LIHEAP, however, you can prevent such issues, as the program can pay for proper sealing, depending on your location. Even better, LIHEAP can pay to repair or replace your heating or cooling systems or install insulation.

LIHEAP Eligibility

What does it take to qualify for LIHEAP? Your local office will determine that, but basic eligibility usually hinges on not having income over 150 percent of the federal poverty level.

Unlike some other programs, you can receive government assistance and qualify for LIHEAP. In fact, receiving such benefits actually works in your favor, as you can qualify automatically for LIHEAP if you’re a recipient of SSI, Section 8, SNAP, etc.

See If You’re Eligible For LIHEAP

Your local office is where you’ll need to turn to start applying for LIHEAP benefits. Since funding is limited, don’t delay, as the sooner you apply, the more likely you are to get a place in line. You can find your local LIHEAP office here.

Tips To Reduce Your Energy Bill

Until that LIHEAP approval comes through, here are some tips you can follow to lower your energy costs:

  • Avoid phantom energy costs by unplugging items when you’re not using them. Doing so can cut your electricity usage by a whopping 75 percent.
  • Keep your fridge as full as possible. The food will act as insulation to keep it from running so hard and driving up your electricity bill.
  • Turn off your stove a couple of minutes before you’re done cooking. The built-up heat will continue to cook your food minus any extra electricity usage that can bloat your bill.

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