What is the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program?
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) can assist with paying 60-75% of qualifying households monthly heating and cooling costs. This program offers automatic enrollment to households with proof of current SSI benefits, TANF or food stamps, and is available for eligible citizens in our ten county service area: Whatcom, Skagit, Island, San Juan, Snohomish, King, Kitsap, Clallam, Jefferson or Pierce.
How do I benefit?
Get in touch with us! Our housing department is eager to help.
Wendy Kolppa, Housing Support Specialist — email me
Eligibility
To qualify, your household gross income must be at or below the amounts listed for your household size and you must live in our ten county service area: Whatcom, Skagit, Island, San Juan, Snohomish, King, Kitsap, Clallam, Jefferson or Pierce.
Use the chart below by finding the line containing your household size and comparing your income against the amounts listed to see if you are eligible.
Income Eligibility Criteria Matrix for October 1, 2020 – September 30, 2021
Benefit amount can change without notice, contingent on funding.
| Household Size |
Annually |
Monthly |
| 1 |
$31,752 |
$2,646 |
| 2 |
$41,521 |
$3,460 |
| 3 |
$51,291 |
$4,274 |
| 4 |
$61,061 |
$5,088 |
| 5 |
$70,831 |
$5,902 |
| 6 |
$80,601 |
$6,716 |
|
$ |
$ |
Benefits
Qualifying members receive financial assistance worth 60%-75% of their heating or cooling costs.
The following limits apply:
- For heating minimum dollar amount $25.00 -
maximum amount $1,500 per Household
- For cooling minimum dollar amount $25.00 -
maximum amount $400.00 per Household
The following factors qualify households to assistance beyond 60%, up to 75% of heating and cooling costs.
Add 5% for any member of Household satisfying these additional factors:
- Elder 60 years of age or older*
- Children 6 and under*
- Individual with disability*
*Must be verified to receive the additional (5%) benefit amount
Automatic Enrollment
Enrolling in LIHEAP is even easier by using your proof of enrollment in these other programs:
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Food Stamps
Contact us!
Wendy Kolppa, Housing Support Specialist — email me
Additional Resources