Low Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP)

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The cooling season is from June 1^st through August 31^st. Payments are made one time per cooling season to utility providers. The cooling assistance payment reduces the amount a household must pay toward residential cooling utilities. The household is responsible to pay for utilities not covered by the cooling assistance payment. To qualify, a household must be LIHEAP-eligible and include a household member who:

• Is a child under age 6 who receives Aid to Dependent Children (ADC);
  
• Is age 70 or older;
• Has a severe illness or condition which is aggravated by extreme heat as verified by a medical statement signed by a licensed healthcare provider; or,
• Has received an air conditioner from DHHS within four years of the application date.

NOTE: If a household member has a severe illness or condition which is aggravated by extreme heat, an IM-55 is required to be completed by a licensed healthcare provider to verify the need for cooling assistance. DHHS will provide the household with the IM-55 upon request. 

• An unanticipated medical or household expense;
  
• A significant, permanent, and involuntary loss of work hours, wages, or employment;
  
• The departure of a primary wage earner;
  
• The inability of a primary wage earner to work because of illness or injury; or,
  
• A significant income loss because of the death of a household member.​