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Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
Citrus County 2023/2024 Allocation (07/01/2023-06/30/2024): $588,705
LIHEAP has a new Automated Interactive Voice Response Telephone System: (424) 389-4290
Income Limits:
This program helps low-income families with home heating and cooling costs. LIHEAP is funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity and has been established to help qualifying low-income homeowners and renters pay for a portion of their primary heating costs.
LIHEAP is not designed to pay a household’s total energy costs, but to provide supplemental assistance. Due to the high demand for assistance, LIHEAP assistance is first come, first served and by APPOINTMENT ONLY.
Maximum Annual Income:
Below are the required documents needed at the time of appointment:
· Photo ID for all adult household members
· Social Security Cards for everyone in the household
· Food Stamp Card or current letter (if receiving this service)
· Current Electric Bill you are needing assistance with
· Signed Lease or proof of ownership
· Proof of Income (legal documents for each that apply)
· Payroll – 1 month current and consecutive payroll stubs
· Social Security – Current year benefit letter stating what you receive monthly
· Veterans Benefits - Current year benefit letter stating what you receive monthly
· Pensions/Retirement - Current year benefit letter stating what you receive monthly
· Child Support – monthly or weekly amount awarded at time judgement was signed
· Cash Assistance – TANF, AFDC or Relative Caregiver
· School Financial Aid – If partial is for living expenses
Maximum Annual Income:
| Household of 1 is $27,735 | Household of 5 is $61,870 |
| Household of 2 is $36,269 | Household of 6 is $70,404 |
| Household of 3 is $44,803 | Household of 7 is $72,004 |
| Household of 4 is $53,337 | Household of 8 is $73,605 |
Below are the required documents needed at the time of appointment:
· Photo ID for all adult household members
· Social Security Cards for everyone in the household
· Food Stamp Card or current letter (if receiving this service)
· Current Electric Bill you are needing assistance with
· Signed Lease or proof of ownership
· Proof of Income (legal documents for each that apply)
· Payroll – 1 month current and consecutive payroll stubs
· Social Security – Current year benefit letter stating what you receive monthly
· Veterans Benefits - Current year benefit letter stating what you receive monthly
· Pensions/Retirement - Current year benefit letter stating what you receive monthly
· Child Support – monthly or weekly amount awarded at time judgement was signed
· Cash Assistance – TANF, AFDC or Relative Caregiver
· School Financial Aid – If partial is for living expenses
Regular Home Energy Assistance:
For Regular assistance, households can apply for assistance once in a 12 month period on a current utility bill. The benefit range is $400 - $1,350 per household depending on family size and income.
Crisis Assistance (Shut-Offs, Past Due And Deposits Only):
A home energy crisis is defined as a shut-off or delinquent notice, wherein utility service will be terminated if a utility bill remains unpaid. A home energy crisis is also defined as the requirement of a household to provide a deposit to a utility company for utility service to begin. Verifications will be made of the shut-off notices, delinquent payment notices, or deposit notices from the utility company. This addresses not only electrical service and natural gas (used for heating), but also other energy sources used for space heating such as propane, fuel oil, or wood. Crisis assistance households can apply for assistance once in a 12 month period.
A home energy crisis is defined as a shut-off or delinquent notice, wherein utility service will be terminated if a utility bill remains unpaid. A home energy crisis is also defined as the requirement of a household to provide a deposit to a utility company for utility service to begin. Verifications will be made of the shut-off notices, delinquent payment notices, or deposit notices from the utility company. This addresses not only electrical service and natural gas (used for heating), but also other energy sources used for space heating such as propane, fuel oil, or wood. Crisis assistance households can apply for assistance once in a 12 month period.
Applications for assistance will be accepted by appointment only due to the high demand for assistance. Applicants are advised to call when they receive their bills (in the case of regular assistance), or the day after their due date (in the case of crisis assistance). Appointments will continue until the funds are exhausted. All applicants will be pre-screened for greatest needs, eligibility, total gross household income, and amount of assistance.
Clients with the greatest need are defined as follows:
- C - Children ages 5 years and under
- D - Disabled persons of any age (Must provide documentation)
- E - Elderly persons ages 60 or older.
Funding Availability:
Assistance is available year round, based on eligibility and availability of funds.Scheduling An Appointment:
The LIHEAP automated telephone system helps clients schedule a home energy assistance appointment and hear more information regarding the program and/or required documentation needed for an appointment. Due to the high demand for assistance, applications are accepted by appointment only.
To schedule an appointment for LIHEAP assistance, please call (424) 389-4290, Monday-Friday between the hours of 4:00p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Callers who require special assistance can connect directly to a live operator by following the phone menu prompts when calling to schedule an appointment.
Callers who require special assistance can connect directly to a live operator by following the phone menu prompts when calling to schedule an appointment.