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5 3. Types of Assistance
The LIHEAP program year is divided into two seasons: the Heating season is from October 1 – April 30 and the Cooling season is from May 1 – September 30. Heating and Crisis Heating assistance may only be provided during the specified months of the Heating season. Likewise, Cooling and Crisis Cooling assistance may only be given during the Cooling season.
3.1 Regular Assistance Regular Assistance is designed to aid eligible households with the payment of a utility bill (electric or natural gas) or payment for a deliverable fuel (propane, wood, coal, or kerosene). Regular Assistance may only be provided once in the Heating season and once in the Cooling season. Refer to Section 4 of this Policy Manual for eligibility requirements.
During the Heating season, the LIHEAP payment should be applied to the household’s primary heating source; i.e, if the household heats their home with propane, the LIHEAP payment should be made to their propane supplier.
Similarly, if the household heats their home with natural gas, the LIHEAP payment should be made to their natural gas company. However, if that particular household’s electricity account is disconnected (or in threat of disconnection) and the natural gas account is active and not in threat of disconnection, it is allowable for the local agency to make the LIHEAP payment to the household’s electricity provider. Contact the State Office if you have questions concerning a specific household’s situation.
Refer to Section 6 of this Policy Manual for information on how to calculate the amount of a Regular Assistance payment.
3.2 Crisis Assistance Crisis Assistance is intended to aid a household that meets all points of eligibility and is experiencing an energy-related crisis.
An energy-related crisis may exist when: • a household member's health and/or well-being would likely be endangered if LIHEAP Crisis Assistance is not provided.* • a household member has been negatively impacted by a State- or Federally-declared disaster or emergency. • a household has at least one child under age 18.
* Special consideration should be given to those vulnerable households with elderly members (age 60 and over) or disabled members. Refer to Section 3.2.1 - Determination of a Crisis for more information.