Program Overview

Eligible applicants will receive a credit payment which would be applied to their existing utility bill. The program is funded through the Florida Department of Community Affairs Division of Housing and Community Development, and provides assistance to over 50,000 households annually. LIHEAP provides assistance in three categories, which include:

• Regular Energy Assistance- designed to assist eligible participants with the ever increasing cost of their home energy expense. The program provides a credit payment ranging from $150 - $300 dollars to be applied to their existing utility account. Regular Energy Assistance is restricted to once a year; eligible participants must continue to pay their utility bill awaiting the credit payment to apply to their account balance.

• Crisis Energy Assistance- provides assistance to eligible households in resolving a home energy emergency/crisis. Participants having received a final notice or disconnection of services are eligible to receive assistance in this category. Eligible participants may receive a credit payment up to $600.00 to be applied to their existing utility account. Participants are permitted to apply twice annually during the winter and summer seasons for the Crisis Energy Assistance.

• Weather-Related Crisis- assists eligible households to resolve a home energy emergency caused by a specific weather related disaster as declared by the Governor.

Eligibility for these programs requires the household income not to exceed 150% of the U.S. Poverty Guidelines.

Regular and Crisis Energy Assistance programs are administered throughout the year as funding is available.

Requirements

Please return your completed LIHEAP application to a Service Center along with the following:

• The original and photo copy of energy bill
• Photo copy of Social Security Cards for all household members
• Photo copy of Applicants' identification (Driver's License, FL ID or Voter Registration Card)
• Photo copy of proof of income for every member of the household for the prior month
• Proof of Income: Consecutive pay stubs, weekly (4-pay stubs), bi-weekly (2-pay stubs) if paid monthly (1-pay stub) Letter from employer on company letterhead indicating gross income for the prior month or current income tax return
• Income Award Letter(s):
  • SSA., SSI, VA, Pension, Welfare/TANF
  • Child Support/Alimony
  • Self Employed Income or Financial Support from Friends or Relatives
• (Income Self Declaration Form provided at our Service Centers)
• Proof of Assistance:
  • Food Stamps
  • Weatherization Assistance Program
  • Community Services Block Grant Program

Service Centers WILL NOT provide photo copies of required documentation.

Eligibility

LIHEAP guidelines require household income to determine participants eligibility.

*Figures are based on the 2012 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) poverty guidelines published in the Federal Register on January 26, 2012.

Application Submittal

Applications are available at Miami-Dade County's Service Centers. Applications maybe returned to the Service Centers along with the required documentation to determine proof of eligibility.

Community Action and Human Services has an established partnership with Florida Power & Light as well as other community organizations to provide assistance with Home Energy related issues.

• LIHEAP Application in English
• LIHEAP Application in Spanish

Service Centers

*These Service Centers will ONLY be distributing and processing Regular Energy applications.

Contact Information

For additional information regarding the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), contact us at 786-469-4640.