The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
Overview
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federally funded initiative designed to assist low-income households, seniors, and others in meeting their immediate home energy needs. The program helps people lower their home heating and energy bills by directly offsetting costs with their local utility provider, ensuring that they can maintain a safe and healthy living environment during the coldest and hottest months of the year. While LIHEAP is funded at the federal level, it is administered locally by state and community agencies.
Congressman Cohen has supported the LIHEAP program throughout his career, and has worked to increase its funding so that more families can meet their energy needs while seeing lower costs. On October 24, 2023, Rep. Cohen announced $68.1 million in federal funding to fuel LIHEAP programs across the state of Tennessee this winter — a substantial increase over last year's initial LIHEAP funding. The increase is a result of Rep. Cohen's efforts to secure additional funding for LIHEAP in the 2023 federal budget, as well as additional support through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), another critical bill that Rep. Cohen voted to pass.
Who Qualifies for LIHEAP?
To qualify for LIHEAP, applicants must meet certain income and household criteria. The program is primarily meant to support low-income families, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities.
For more information on eligibility, please use the LIHEAP Eligibility Tool.
Local Agencies for LIHEAP Assistance
LIHEAP is funded by Congress at the federal level, but it's administered locally by state and community agencies. If you have questions about the program or wish to apply, make sure to contact your local LIHEAP agency:
- Shelby County — The Shelby County Community Services Agency (CSA) is the primary LIHEAP agency for residents of Shelby County. Click here to visit their LIHEAP application portal and information page, or call 901-222-4200 for more information.
- Tipton County — The Delta Human Resource Agency is the primary LIHEAP agency for Tipton County residents. Click here to see their program resources page, or call 901-475-1460.