If the title of this post caught your attention then I know that you’re either a skeptic looking for the other shoe to drop or a cheapskate like me looking for a freebie. Yes, you can get brand spanking new appliances for free from the Federal government, but with everything, there are rules.
First, a little background. My mom as well as my tenant are both permanently disabled. My mom is disabled physically and my tenant because of her terminal illness. Both live in two different states and both were able to qualify for programs that replaced their refrigerators, paid a small amount towards their energy bills, installed or insulated water heaters as well as weatherproofed their abodes for free. I should also say that my boyfriend’s mom who is 80 also qualified for some of these services (her appliances weren’t old enough, but she got the other stuff). How did they do it?
It’s pretty simple really. All of these women have one thing in common. They are all disadvantaged and have low incomes. My mom because she is disabled, my tenant because she is terminally ill, and my boyfriend’s mom because she is elderly basically lives on just social security. Because of this they all qualified for free appliance from the Federal government under the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
According to their brochure, “The mission of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is to assist low income households, particularly those with the lowest incomes that pay a high proportion of household income for home energy, primarily in meeting their immediate home energy needs.” Qualifying for the program is relatively simple. You must not earn more than 150% of the poverty level or 60% of your state’s median income level.
This is a great program, and with winter right around the corner, why not see if you or someone you love qualifies? You have a few options for obtaining more information. You can
- Visit the website
- Call them 1-866-674-6327 7am-5pm (Mountain)
- Or find your state’s local office
To be fair, each state receives limited funds each year, and competition is fierce. You may end up on a waiting list, but, if your living conditions; or home energy costs relative to your income is high; or if you have elderly family members or children under 6, you may qualify faster. Good luck.
I have listed the states and their contact information to obtain more information below, but you can also visit Free Government Appliance for Low Income for more up-to-date information on the LI HEAP program.
UPDATE: Hi! This article is here for archive purposes. Please visit the site above for correct information. If you were a victim of Hurricane Sandy, please contact FEMA for assistance.
Ms. Carlene Taylor
Program Administration Manager
Community, Energy & Refugee Services
Department of Social Services
25 Sigourney Street, 10th Floor
Hartford, Connecticut 06106
TEL: (860) 424-5889
FAX: (860) 424-4952
E-MAIL: [email protected]
WEB SITE: www.ct.gov/staywarm
PUBLIC INQUIRIES: 1-800-842-1132
Ms. Jo-Ann Choate
LIHEAP Coordinator
National Energy Policy Advisor
Maine State Housing Authority
353 Water Street
Augusta, Maine 04330
TEL: (207) 624-5708
FAX: (207) 624-5780
E-MAIL: [email protected]
WEB SITE: www.mainehousing.org/ENERGYProgramsDetail.aspx?ProgramID=37
PUBLIC INQUIRIES: 1-800-452-4668
Mr. Gerald Bell
Director
Community Services Programs
Division of Community Services
Department of Housing and Community Development
100 Cambridge Street, Suite 300
Boston, Massachusetts 02114-2524
TEL: (617) 573-1438
FAX: (617) 573-1460
E-MAIL: [email protected]
WEB SITE: www.mass.gov/dhcd/components/cs/Fuel/default.htm
WINTER HEATING HELPLINE WEB SITE: www.mass.gov
PUBLIC INQUIRIES: 1-800-632-8175
Ms. Celeste Lovett
Fuel Assistance Program Manager
Office of Energy & Planning
4 Chennel Drive
Concord, New Hampshire 03301-8501
TEL: (603) 271-2155
FAX: (603) 271-2615
E-MAIL: [email protected]
WEB SITE:http://www.nh.gov/oep/programs/fuelassistance/index.htm
Mr. Lewis Babbitt
Fiscal Management Officer
Office of Energy Resources
Department of Administration
One Capitol Hill
Providence, Rhode Island 02908-5850
TEL: (401) 574-9103
FAX: (401) 574-9125
E-MAIL: [email protected]
WEB SITE: www.energy.ri.gov
PUBLIC INQUIRIES: (401) 574-9100
Mr. Richard Moffi
Fuel Assistance Program Chief
Office of Home Heating Fuel Assistance
Department for Children and Families
103 South Main Street
Waterbury, Vermont 05676
TEL: (802) 241-1097
FAX: (802) 241-4327
E-MAIL: [email protected]
WEB SITE: http://dcf.vermont.gov/esd/fuel_assistance
PUBLIC INQUIRIES: 1-800-479-6151 or 1-802-828-6896
REGION 2
Mr. Jose Sanchez
LIHEAP Coordinator
Department of Community Affairs
Division of Community Resources
Office of Low-Income Energy Conservation
101 South Broad Street
P.O. Box 811
Trenton, New Jersey 08625-08111
TEL: (609) 984-6670
FAX: (609) 292-9798
E-MAIL: [email protected]
WEB SITE: www.state.nj.us/dca/divisions/dhcr/offices/energy.html
PUBLIC INQUIRIES: 1-800-510-3102
Ms. Paula Cook
LIHEAP Coordinator
Division of Employment and Transitional Supports
New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance
40 North Pearl Street
Albany, New York 12243-0001
TEL: (518) 473-0332
FAX: (518) 474-9347
E-MAIL: [email protected]
WEB SITE: http://otda.ny.gov/main/programs/heap
PUBLIC INQUIRIES: 1-800-342-3009
REGION 3
Ms. Leslie Lee
Energy Program Manager
Department of Health and Social Services
Division of State Service Centers
1901 N. DuPont Highway
New Castle, Delaware 19720
TEL: (302) 255-9875
FAX: (302) 255-4463
E-MAIL: [email protected]
1-800-464-HELP (4357)
NEW CASTLE COUNTY: 302-654-9295
KENT COUNTY: 302-674-1782
SUSSEX COUNTY: 302-856-6310
WEB SITE: www.dhss.delaware.gov/dssc/liheap.html
PUBLIC INQUIRIES: 1-800-464-HELP (4357)
Ms. Denise Watson
Supervisory Energy Program Specialist
District Department of the Environment
Energy Administration
2000 14th Street NW, Suite 300 East
Washington, D.C. 20009
TEL: (202) 673-6709
FAX: (202) 673-6725
E-MAIL: [email protected]
WEB SITE: http://ddoe.dc.gov/ddoe/cwp/view,a,1209,q,492145,ddoeNav_GID,1478,ddoeNav,%7C31424%7C.asp
PUBLIC INQUIRIES: 202-673-6750 or 6700
Mr. Ralph Markus
Director
Office of Home Energy Programs
Department of Human Resources
311 West Saratoga Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21202
TEL: (410) 767-7415
FAX: (410) 333-0079
E-MAIL: [email protected]
WEB SITE: www.dhr.state.md.us/ohep
PUBLIC INQUIRIES: 1-800-352-1446
Mr. Edward J. Zogby
Director
Bureau of Policy
Office of Income Maintenance
Department of Public Welfare
P.O. Box 2675
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17105
TEL: (717) 787-4081
FAX: (717) 787-6765
E-MAIL: [email protected]
WEB SITE: www.dpw.state.pa.us/foradults/heatingassistanceliheap/index.htm
ONLINE APPLICATION: www.humanservices.state.pa.us/compass/CMHOM.aspx
PUBLIC INQUIRIES: 1-866-857-7095
Ms. Andrea Gregg
Program Manager
Virginia Department of Social Services
Energy Assistance Program
801 E. Main Street
Richmond, Virginia 23219
TEL: (804) 726-7368
FAX: (804) 726-7358
E-MAIL: [email protected]
WEB SITE: www.dss.virginia.gov/benefit/ea/index.html
PUBLIC INQUIRIES: 1-800-230-6977
Ms. Danita Jones
LIHEAP Director
Division of Family Assistance
West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources
350 Capitol Street, Rm B-18
Charleston, West Virginia 25301-3704
TEL: (304) 558-8290
FAX: (304) 558-2059
E-Mail: [email protected]
WEB SITE: www.wvdhhr.org/bcf/family_assistance/utility.asp
PUBLIC INQUIRIES: 1-800-642-8589
REGION 4
Mr. Gareth D. Whitehead
Energy Section Supervisor
Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs
Community Services Division
P.0. Box 5690
Montgomery, Alabama 36103-5690
TEL: (334) 242-4909
FAX: (334) 353-4311
E-MAIL: [email protected]
WEB SITE: http://216.226.178.189/txtlstvw.aspx?LstID=d9aead61-987c-4dae-a648-c48bcff32da9
PUBLIC INQUIRIES: 1-800-392-8098
Ms. Hilda Frazier
Community & Social Services Operations Manager
Department of Community Affairs
Bureau of Housing and Community Development
Community Assistance Section
2555 Shumard Oak Boulevard
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2100
TEL: (850) 488-7541
FAX: (850) 488-2488
E-MAIL: [email protected]
WEB SITE: www.floridacommunitydevelopment.org/liheap/index.cfm
PUBLIC INQUIRIES: 850-488-7541
Ms. Lynne Boring
Director
DHS/DFCS/State Office of Family Independence
2 Peachtree Street NW, Suite 21-440
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
TEL: (404) 651-8701
FAX: (770) 357-8580
E-MAIL: [email protected]
WEB SITE: www.heatga.org/assistance/assistance.asp
PUBLIC INQUIRIES: 1-800-869-1150
Ms. Sharon Vinyard
Policy Analyst
Department for Community Based Services
Division of Family Support
Human Resources Building
275 East Main Street, 3E-I
Frankfort, Kentucky 40601
TEL: (502) 564-3440, Ext. 3023
FAX: (502) 564-0405
E-MAIL: [email protected]
WEB SITE: http://chfs.ky.gov/dcbs/dfs/liheap.htm
PUBLIC INQUIRIES: 1-800-456-3452
Mr. Sollie Norwood
Director
Division of Community Services
Mississippi Dept. of Human Services
750 N. State Street
Jackson, Mississippi 39202-4772
TEL: (601) 359-4768
FAX: (601) 359-4370
E-MAIL: [email protected]
WEB SITE: www.mdhs.state.ms.us/cs_info.html
PUBLIC INQUIRIES: 1-800-421-0762
Ms. Erica Jennings
Program Consultant
NCDHHS, Division of Social Services
Economic and Family Services Section
Food & Nutrition Svcs. & Energy Programs
325 North Salisbury Street
Raleigh, North Carolina 27603-5905
TEL: (919) 334-1224
FAX: (919) 334-1266
E-MAIL: [email protected]
WEB SITE: www.ncdhhs.gov/dss/energy/index.htm
PUBLIC INQUIRIES: 1-800-662-7030 (CARE LINE)
Ms. Bertie McKie
Senior Manager
Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity
1205 Pendleton Street, Suite 358
Columbia, South Carolina 29201
TEL: (803) 734-0662
FAX: (803) 734-0356
E-MAIL: [email protected]
WEB SITE: www.oepp.sc.gov/oeo/programs.htm
Ms. Pam Davenport
Director for Community Services
Department of Human Services
Citizens Plaza Building
400 Deaderick Street
Nashville, Tennessee 37248-9500
TEL: (615) 313-4762
FAX: (615) 532-9956
E-MAIL: [email protected]
WEB SITE: http://tennessee.gov/humanserv/adfam/afs_hea.html
PUBLIC INQUIRIES: (615) 313-4766
REGION 5
Mr. Larry Dawson
Deputy Director
Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
Office of Energy Assistance
100 West Randolph, Suite 3-400
Chicago, Illinois 60601
TEL: (312) 814-2606
FAX: (312) 793-2798
E-MAIL: [email protected]
WEB SITE: www.ildceo.net/dceo/Bureaus/Energy+Assistance/
WEATHERIZATION WEB SITE: www.ildceo.net/dceo/Bureaus/Energy+Assistance/Illinois+Weatherization/
PUBLIC INQUIRIES: 1-877-411-WARM (9276)
Mr. Tom Scott
Energy Assistance Program Manager
Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority
30 South Meridian Street, Suite 1000
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204
TEL: (317) 232-7015
FAX: (317) 232-7778
E-MAIL: [email protected]
WEB SITE: www.in.gov/ihcda/2523.htm
PUBLIC INQUIRIES: 1-800-872-0371
Ms. Kari Mardyla-Goddard, MSA
State Administrative Manager
Food/Energy/Emergency Policy
235 S. Grand Ave
Suite 1306
Lansing, Michigan 48909
TEL: (517) 241-5091
FAX: (517) 335-7771
E-MAIL: [email protected]
WEB SITE: www.michigan.gov/heatingassistance
PUBLIC INQUIRIES: 1-800-292-5650
Mr. John Harvanko
Director, Office of Energy Assistance Programs
Minnesota Department of Commerce
85 7th Place East, Suite 500
St. Paul, Minnesota 55101-2198
TEL: (651) 284-3275
FAX: (651) 297-7891
E-MAIL: [email protected]
WEB SITE: http://www.state.mn.us/portal/mn/jsp/content.do?agency=Energy&id=-536893810
PUBLIC INQUIRIES: 1-800-657-3710
Mr. Nick Sunday
Chief, OCS/HEAP
Ohio Department of Development
P.O. Box 1001
77 South High, 25th Floor
Columbus, Ohio 43216
TEL: (614) 644-6846
FAX: (614) 728-6832
E-MAIL: [email protected]
WEB SITE: http://development.ohio.gov/Community/ocs/heap.htm
PUBLIC INQUIRIES: 1-800-282-0880 (TDD: 1-800-686-1557)
Ms. Susan Brown
Deputy Administrator
Wisconsin Department of Administration
Division of Energy Services
P.O. Box 7868
Madison, Wisconsin 53707-7868
TEL: (608) 267-3680
FAX: (608) 267-6931
E-MAIL: [email protected]
WEB SITE: www.homeenergyplus.wi.gov
PUBLIC INQUIRIES: 1-866-432-8947
REGION 6
Ms. Cathy Rowe
Manager, Home Energy Assistance Program
Office of Community Services
Department of Human Services
P.O. Box 1437/Slot 1330
Little Rock, Arkansas 72203-1437
TEL: (501) 682-8726
FAX: (501) 682-6736
E-MAIL: [email protected]
WEB SITE: http://arkansas.gov/dhs/dco/NewDCO/HEAP%20page.html
PUBLIC INQUIRIES: 800-482-8988
Ms. Darleen Okammor
Program Manager
Louisiana Housing Finance Agency
Energy Assistance Department
2415 Quail Drive
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70808
TEL: (225) 763-8700, Ext. 205
FAX: (225) 763-8752
E-MAIL: [email protected]
WEB SITE: www.lhfa.state.la.us/programs/energy_assistance/low_income_energy.php
PUBLIC INQUIRIES: 1-888-454-2001
Ms. Lori Williams
LIHEAP Program Manager
New Mexico Human Services Department
Income Support Division
Work & Family Support Bureau
P.O. Box 2348
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87504-8501
TEL: (505) 383-2495
TOLL FREE: (888) 523-0051
FAX: (505) 383-2551
E-MAIL: [email protected]
WEB SITE: www.hsd.state.nm.us/isd/liheap.html
PUBLIC INQUIRIES: 1800-283-4465
Ms. Kathie Wright
Program Field Representative
Oklahoma Department of Human Services
Family Support Services Division-SNAP/LIHEAP Section
P.O. Box 25352
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73125
TEL: (405) 521-3444
FAX: (405) 521-4158
E-MAIL: [email protected]
WEB SITE: www.okdhs.org/programsandservices/liheap
PUBLIC INQUIRIES: 1-866-411-1877 or 405-521-3444
Ms. Cate Taylor
Planner, Energy Assistance
Texas Department of Housing & Community Affairs
Energy Assistance Section
P.O. Box 13941
Austin, Texas 78711-3941
TEL: (512) 475-1435
FAX: (512) 475-3935
E-MAIL: [email protected]
WEB SITE: www.tdhca.state.tx.us/ea/index.htm
PUBLIC INQUIRIES: 1-877-399-8939
LITE-UP TEXAS: 1-866-454-8387
PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION COMPLAINTS: 1-888-782-8477
REGION 7
Mr. Jerry McKim
Chief, Bureau of Energy Assistance
Division of Community Action Agencies
Department of Human Rights
Lucas State Office Building
321 E. 12th Street, 2nd Floor
Des Moines, Iowa 50319
TEL: (515) 281-0859
FAX: (515) 242-6119
E-MAIL: [email protected]
WEB SITE: www.dcaa.iowa.gov/bureau_EA/index.html
PUBLIC INQUIRIES: 515-281-3861
Ms. Winona Dickson
LIHEAP Program Manager
Kansas Social & Rehabilitation Services
915 SW Harrison Street, Suite 580
Topeka, Kansas 66612
PHONE: (785) 368-8122
FAX: (785) 296-6960
E-MAIL: [email protected]
WEB SITE: http://www.srskansas.org/ISD/ees/lieap.htm
PUBLIC INQUIRIES: 1-800-432-0043
Ms. Heather Jones
LIHEAP Manager
Family Support Division
Department of Social Services
615 Howerton Court
P.O. Box 2320
Jefferson City, Missouri 65102
TEL: (573) 751-6789
FAX: (573) 526-5592
E-MAIL: [email protected]
WEB SITE: www.dss.mo.gov/fsd/liheap.htm
Mr. Mike Kelly
Program and Planning Specialist
Program Assistance Unit
Department of Health and Human Services
301 Centennial Mall South, 4th Floor
P.O. Box 95026
Lincoln, Nebraska 68509
TEL: (402) 471-3121
FAX: (402) 471-9597
E-MAIL: [email protected]
WEB SITE: www.dhhs.ne.gov/fia/energy.htm
PUBLIC INQUIRIES: (402) 471-3121
REGION 8
Mr. Todd Jorgensen
LIHEAP Director
Colorado Department of Human Services
789 Sherman Street, Suite 440
Denver, Colorado 80203
TEL: (303) 861-0325
FAX: (303) 861-0275
E-MAIL: [email protected]
WEB SITE: www.cdhs.state.co.us/leap
PUBLIC INQUIRIES: 1-866-432-8435 or 303-861-0269
Mr. Jim Nolan
Chief
Intergovernmental Human Services Bureau
Department of Public Health
and Human Services
1400 Carter Drive
Helena, Montana 59620
TEL: (406) 447-4260
FAX: (406) 447-4287
E-MAIL: [email protected]
WEB SITE: www.dphhs.mt.gov/programsservices/energyassistance/index.shtml
PUBLIC INQUIRIES: 1-800-332-2272
Mr. Ron Knutson
Assistant Director of Energy & Nutrition
Department of Human Services
State Capitol Building, Judicial Wing
600 E. Boulevard, Dept. 325
Bismarck, North Dakota 58505-0250
TEL: (701) 328-4882
FAX: (701) 328-1060
E-MAIL: [email protected]
WEB SITE: www.nd.gov/dhs/services/financialhelp/energyassist.html
PUBLIC INQUIRIES: 1-800-755-2716
Mr. David Gall
Program Administrator
Office of Energy Assistance
Department of Social Services
206 West Missouri Avenue
Pierre, South Dakota 57501-4517
TEL: (605) 773-4131
FAX: (605) 773-6657
E-MAIL: [email protected]
WEB SITE: http://dss.sd.gov/energyassistance/index.asp
PUBLIC INQUIRIES: 1-800-233-8503
Mr. Sherman Roquiero
Director, State Energy Assistance & Lifeline (SEAL) Office
Division of Housing & Community Development
Utah Department of Community & Culture
324 South State, Suite 500
Salt Lake City, Utah 84111
TEL: (801) 538-8644
FAX: (801) 538-8615
E-MAIL: [email protected]
WEB SITE: http://housing.utah.gov/seal/index.html
PUBLIC INQUIRIES: 1-877-488-3233
Ms. Brenda llg
Program Manager
LIHEAP/Weatherization Programs
Department of Family Services
2300 Capitol Avenue
Hathaway Building, 3rd Floor
Cheyenne, Wyoming 82002-0490
TEL: (307) 777-6346
FAX: (307) 777-6276
E-MAIL: [email protected]
WEB SITE: http://dfsweb.state.wy.us/economic-assistance/lieap/index.html
PUBLIC INQUIRIES: 1-800-246-4221
REGION 9
Ms. Sandra Mendez
LIHEAP Coordinator
Community Services Administration
Arizona Department of Economic Security
1789 W. Jefferson, Site Code 086Z
P.O. Box 6123
Phoenix, Arizona 85007
TEL: (602) 542-6607
FAX: (602) 364-1756
E-MAIL: [email protected]
WEB SITE: https://egov.azdes.gov/cmsinternet/intranet.aspx?id=2328&menu=34
PUBLIC INQUIRIES: 1-800-582-5706
Ms. Kathy Andry
Senior Manager
Department of Community Services and Development
P.O. Box 1947
Sacramento, California 95812-1947
TEL: (916) 576-7109
FAX: (916) 263-1406
E-MAIL: [email protected]
WEB SITE: www.csd.ca.gov/Programs/Low%20Income%20Home%20Energy%20Assistance%20Program%20(LIHEAP).aspx
PUBLIC INQUIRIES: 1-866-675-6623
Ms. Doreen Harada
Acting LIHEAP Coordinator
BESSD/FAP/LIHEAP
Benefit, Employment, and Support Services Division
Financial Assistance Office
820 Mililani Street, Suite 606
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
TEL: (808) 586-5734
FAX: (808) 586-5744
E-MAIL: [email protected]
WEB SITE: www.hawaii.gov/health/disability-services/neurotrauma/key-services-finance.html#liheap
PUBLIC INQUIRIES: 1-808-586-5740
Ms. Lori Wilson
Chief, Employment & Support Services
Division of Welfare & Supportive Services
1470 College Parkway
Carson City, Nevada 89706
FAX: (775) 684-0617
E-MAIL: [email protected]
WEB SITE: http://dwss.nv.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=116&Itemid=279
PUBLIC INQUIRIES: 1-800-992-0900 (EXT. 4420]
LAS VEGAS AREA: (702) 486-1404
RENO/CARSON CITY: (775) 684-0730
REGION 10
Ms. Susan Marshall
LIHEAP Program Coordinator
Alaska Department of Health and Social Services
Division of Public Assistance
400 Willoughby, Suite 301
Juneau, Alaska 99801-1700
TEL: (907) 465-3099
FAX: (907) 465-3319
E-MAIL: [email protected]
WEB SITE: www.hss.state.ak.us/dpa/programs/hap
PUBLIC INQUIRIES: 1-800-470-3058
Ms. Garland Draper
Program Specialist
Division of Welfare
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
Pete T. Cenarrusa Building
450 W State Street, 2nd Floor
Boise, Idaho 83720-0036
TEL: (208) 334-5686
FAX: (208) 334-5817
E-MAIL: [email protected]
INFORMATION ON APPLYING FOR ENERGY ASSISTANCE: [email protected]
WEB SITE: www.idahocommunityaction.org/programs/programsenergyassistance/
PUBLIC INQUIRIES: (208) 442-9991 or (208) 442-9987
Ms. Melissa Torgerson
LIHEAP Program Coordinator
Oregon Housing and Community Services
North Mall Office Building
725 Summer Street NE, Suite B
Salem, Oregon 97301-1266
TEL: (503) 986-2094
FAX: (503) 986-2006
E-MAIL: [email protected]
WEB SITE: www.oregon.gov/OHCS/SOS_Low_Income_Energy_Assistance_Oregon.shtml
PUBLIC INQUIRIES: 1-800-453-5511
Mr. Cinque R. Finnie
LIHEAP Contract Manager
Department of Commerce
906 Columbia Street, S.W.
P.O. Box 48350
Olympia, Washington 98504-8350
TEL: (360) 725-2855
FAX: (360) 586-0489
E-MAIL: [email protected]
WEB SITE: www.liheapwa.org
Image Courtesy of Brian Germain at BGstudios.com.
