Social Security announced several weeks ago that, given the stability of the COLA and the continuity of the IRA until 2025, the same social benefits will be maintained as they have been up to now. However, what no one expected was that one of the most requested programs, LIHEAP 2024, would be extended for the second quarter of the year. We tell you how it will be and what are the changes that the Government has implemented.
Government explains LIHEAP for 2024: but, what is that program?
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federal program that helps low-income households with their home energy bills and weatherization assistance. The program is funded by the federal government and administered by the states and territories.
LIHEAP provides grants to eligible low-income households to help pay a portion of their winter heating and summer cooling bills. The program also offers weatherization assistance to improve energy efficiency in homes and reduce energy costs.
To qualify for LIHEAP, households must have an income at or below 60% of the state median income level. Eligibility thresholds vary by state depending on the cost of living and average energy bills in each area. The income limits are adjusted annually and higher in states with higher energy costs.
LIHEAP grants help vulnerable households, including the elderly, disabled, and families with children, cover their utility bills. The benefits help lower the energy burden for these households and ensure access to safe and stable energy in their homes.
These are the new LIHEAP 2024 income eligibility limits, at detail
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has released updated income guidelines for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for fiscal year 2024. These new guidelines determine eligibility for LIHEAP benefits based on a household’s income and size.
To qualify for LIHEAP assistance in 2024, a household’s income must be at or below 60% of the state median income level. The federal poverty guidelines are used to set this 60% threshold.
For example, under the new guidelines, a family of 4 would need to have a household income at or below $36,620 to qualify for LIHEAP benefits in most states. This is 60% of the federal poverty level for a 4-person household, much more than during 2023.
Applicants should check with their state LIHEAP agency to confirm the exact income requirements in their area. States can set limits from 110% down to 60% of the federal poverty level. But the majority of states adhere to the 60% threshold set by the updated HHS guidelines.
LIHEAP benefits remain unchanged, but this is a quick brief of them all
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides several types of benefits to help eligible households pay their home energy bills and make energy efficiency improvements. The main types of LIHEAP benefits include:
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Heating and Cooling Assistance – This helps eligible households pay a portion of their primary or secondary heating and/or cooling costs. It typically comes in the form of a utility bill payment or a direct payment to the household’s energy supplier.
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Crisis Assistance – This provides emergency heating and/or cooling assistance for households facing shut-offs, depleted fuel sources, broken heating equipment, or other energy crises. It may cover utility reconnection fees, temporary housing, blankets, heaters, fans, and more.
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Weatherization Assistance – This provides free home energy audits and installs energy efficiency upgrades like insulation, air sealing, heating/cooling system tune-ups, and replacing old appliances. It aims to reduce energy usage and costs.
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Additional Benefits – Some states may offer extra services like energy education, budget counseling, utility discounts, and referrals to other programs.
The type and amount of LIHEAP assistance depends on the household’s income, energy costs, and individual state programs. But all LIHEAP benefits are designed to help lower-income families manage and reduce their home energy bills.
As you can see, LIHEAP 2024 has been expanded not only in amounts, but also in the number of people who are eligible to receive this social benefit. We hope that it will also be maintained for the third quarter, something that has not yet been finalized, but that the Federal Government should announce shortly when it finishes meeting with the states that support the measure (which, fortunately, are more and more).
