What is LIHEAP? | Low-Income Assistance—In Action | General Information

Electric Companies Provide Critical Assistance to Low-Income Customers

Facing rising energy prices and costs associated with strengthening the nation's electric infrastructure, utilities recognize that keeping energy affordable for low-income customers is a critical industry issue.

Here you will find information on the electric power industry's efforts to help low-income customers meet their basic energy needs. Among the industry's various programs, EEI and its members advocate for Congress to fund the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

What is LIHEAP?

LIHEAP is a federal program that helps low-income families pay their winter heating bills or summer cooling bills. Two-thirds of the households receiving LIHEAP assistance have incomes of less than $8,000 a year. People in these households are living in poverty and depend on LIHEAP assistance for their basic energy needs.

On September 30, 2008, President Bush signed into law HR 2638, The Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act of 2009, which provides $5.1 billion for LIHEAP for FY 2009. This is the first time in LIHEAP’s 27-year history that the program will be fully funded. 

Low-Income Assistance—In Action

• Advocacy
  Access EEI's LIHEAP reference library, designed to help you develop your own LIHEAP advocacy plan. 
• Additional References
  Get answers to frequently asked questions about LIHEAP, as well as state-by-state information on LIHEAP appropriations and analyses of federal home energy assistance.
• Member Best Practices
  Learn from our members about best-practice strategies to support LIHEAP and other low-income assistance programs.
• Utility Programs for Low-Income Customers
  An interactive search tool that features utility programs for low-income customers.

General Information

• LIHEAP Web Site
  U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
• LIHEAP Clearinghouse
  The National Center for Appropriate Technology, National Energy Affordability and Accessibility Program
• AGA's Energy Analysis: Low-Income Energy Consumers: The Need for Assistance Continues
• U.S. Government: Department of Health & Human Services 
• National Fuel Funds Network 
• National Energy Assistance Directors Association 
• Campaign for Home Energy Assistance
• Weatherization Assistance Program 
  U.S. Department of Energy
• Weatherization Assistance Program Technical Assistance Center