PROVIDENCE, RI – With winter approaching, U.S. Senator Jack Reed is encouraging eligible families to apply for the federally-funded Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).  In fiscal year 2023, Senator Reed led efforts to make nearly $40 million in LIHEAP funds available to help Rhode Islanders struggling to pay their energy bills.  Eligible households may apply for assistance in just a few easy steps by contacting their local Community Action Program (CAP) agencies.

LIHEAP is a federally funded program that provides financial help with heating costs for qualifying households.  It is administered at the state level by the Rhode Island Department of Human Services and local Community Action Program (CAP) agencies.

“I champion LIHEAP to help Rhode Islanders in need afford their utility bills and keep people safe and warm.  With winter approaching, LIHEAP is a real lifeline for seniors on fixed incomes and families that are struggling financially and need a little help keeping the heat on.  So we’re trying to spread the word and ensure everyone who is eligible can apply and get the assistance they need,” said Senator Reed, a senior member of the Appropriations Committee.

Applications for LIHEAP grants opened on October 1 and Rhode Islanders may apply for assistance through their local Community Action Agency [ricommunityaction.org].  In September, renewal applications were sent to individuals who received a LIHEAP grant last year.  Agencies will send confirmation letters to households that heat with deliverable fuel starting November 1 and households that heat with utilities starting January 1.  Deliverable fuel vendors may begin making deliveries starting November 1.

LIHEAP assistance amounts vary based on the number of people living in the household, total household income, heat source, and other factors.

To qualify for LIHEAP in Rhode Island, a household’s combined gross income must be equal to or less than 60 percent of the State Median Income (SMI) for their household size.  For example, a household of four could earn $68,605 and qualify. Family size, fuel type, and minimum delivery requirements are also considered for LIHEAP primary grants. 

Both homeowners and renters are eligible to apply for LIHEAP assistance.

In addition to heating costs, LIHEAP may also assist with weatherization services such as home insulation and weather stripping around doors and windows; furnace cleaning, repair or replacement; and chimney inspection and cleaning. Emergency assistance is also available to assist with fuel co-payments during unexpected financial hardships, offer financial support for furnace replacements, help prevent shut offs and disconnects, and provide essential consumer goods like temporary heating devices.

Applicants can find their local community action agency at: ricommunityaction.org and review an application checklist.

Applicants can also get more LIHEAP information and resources by visiting: https://dhs.ri.gov/programs-and-services/energy-and-water-assistance-programs/low-income-home-energy-assistance-0

This year, LIHEAP grants to Rhode Island households range from $75 to $1,221 in initial grants.

There are two components to the program:

Heating Assistance: A grant to assist a household in meeting heating costs. The grant may be paid to either a heating fuel vendor or utility company, or in a few cases, directly to the applicant.

Crisis Assistance: A grant to help resolve a home heating crisis caused by a heat shut-off because of failure to pay a regulated energy bill, the inability to pay for deliverable fuel, or the failure of a heating system that is not repairable.

Last season from October 2022 through September 2023, 26,748 households across the state received non-crisis heating assistance grants through LIHEAP.  Additionally, there were 4,078 crisis grants for heating and 25,0001 grants for cooling issued to households.

Earlier this month, Senator Reed led a bipartisan group of lawmakers in urging the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to take additional steps to reduce energy costs for Americans.