Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

LIHEAP Most Frequently Asked Questions:

1. What is LIHEAP?

LIHEAP is a federally funded program designed to assist low income citizens with payment of their energy bill. In Louisiana, this program is administered by the Louisiana Association of Community Action Partnerships, Inc., LACAP, in concert with community action agencies throughout the state. Every parish is served. Funding for the program is dependent on adoption and approval of the federal budget and is not guaranteed.

2. What are the income guidelines?

The assistance is available for larger families. For households with more than 10 members, add $92.00 for each additional member. The amount indicated is for maximum household income totals per month.

3. How often may I apply?

Currently, eligible applicants may apply for assistance with their regular energy bills once every six months. If you have received a Disconnect or Cut-Off notice or service has already been suspended, you may apply for immediate Crisis assistance once in a 12 month period.

4. If I am approved how long does it take to receive the benefit? 

Non Crisis applications

All applicants are required to maintain an active account with their vendor. Because of the time required for processing, which may exceed 60 days depending on source funding, the applicant is expected to continue to pay their bill, including the bill brought in during the application process. Agencies do not pledge non-crisis applications to forestall disconnects. Benefits are paid by the agency within three days of receipt of funding from the funding source.

Crisis applications

For applicants seeking emergency assistance, upon application approval, the agency will make a pledge to the energy company pledging payment of the bill up to a maximum of $475.00. This pledge assures the energy vendor of a payment for energy costs but does not include any non-energy related costs. The applicant is responsible for any portion of the bill that is not a charge for energy expenses. This includes any re-connect charges, deposits, or other non-energy related costs such as security lighting charges.

5. How much assistance am I eligible for?

The dollar amount of the assistance is determined by entering data on your application into a state operated computer system. Benefits are calculated by the computer program based on several factors including the number of persons living in the household, the total household income (income from all members must be provided at the time of the application), whether or not the applicant or a member of the household is disabled, over the age of 60, and whether or not there are children in the home that are five years or under.

6. Are applications taken on-line or by mail?

All applications must be done in person. If an eligible applicant is unable to come to an agency office (due to illness or disability) they may designate, in writing, someone to do their application for them. The applicant must still provide all required documentation, including a picture I.D.

7. What documents are required at the time of application?

Social Security Cards for every member currently residing in the home. 

You may also provide an official government document that lists the names and social security number for members of a household. For example:

a. Food Stamp print-out with data that has been updated within the previous 30 days and it lists the family members.

b. A Social Security Administration Benefit Letter that includes the social security number.

c. Any other document issued by the state or federal government that lists the name and social security number of family members.

You must provide Proof of Income from all sources including, but not limited to: wages for employment, self-employment earnings, Social Security/ SSI benefit payments, Veterans Pensions, Annuities, Rental Income, RR Retirement, Private Pensions, Investments, Alimony, Gaming winnings, and Military Allotments. This information must be provided for all members living in the household. Child Support payments are not considered income on an application.

If employed, and are paid weekly, you must provide a copy of your four most recent Check Stubs or a payroll print-out from your employer. If you are paid every other week, the last two check stubs are sufficient (as long as the employment period is for four weeks).

In lieu of a Social Security/SSI benefit letter, an applicant receiving Social Security and/or SSI payments may provide a copy of their bank statements indicating direct deposits of those checks. You may also provide a copy of your monthly SS/SSI check.

A copy of your Utility bill(s) from each of your energy providers. You may substitute a energy billing history printout provided by the energy vendor. Both the energy bills and/or any vendor provided printout must indicate the service address of the person making application and the billing period.

If you are unemployed and currently have no income from employment, you will be required to provide information regarding the reason and circumstances for being unemployed by providing a Zero Income Statement ( A copy of the form is provided at the end of this document).

If you are unemployed and currently have no income from employment, you will be required to provide information regarding who is assisting you with current living expenses and be prepared to detail how much assistance you receive by providing a Statement of Contributions. This form is provided at the end of this document. You may print, fill out, and have signed by the contributor(s) to bring with you at the time of your appointment. All general household expenses should be accounted for.

You must provide at least one other document that is addressed to the applicant at the same address as the service address of the energy vendor(s). A current La. Driver’s License or LA. I.D. card that includes the same service address is acceptable. Other examples are other utility bills, a rent receipt or lease agreement, SSA/SSI benefit letters, or any other correspondence addressed to the applicant at the service address.

A Photo I.D. issued by a government authority.

8. How and where do I apply?

You apply at the agency that serves your area. Please view the LIHEAP Provider Chart at www.lacapinc.org/programs/liheap/ or call LACAP at 1-877-522-2728  for contact information on the agency that serves your area.