LIHEAP Program
The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is designed to provide financial relief from high-energy costs to prevent service disconnection for families in crisis. The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program is a federally funded program that assists low-income households with the cost of heating and cooling their homes. LIHEAP helps clients stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
Services include crisis utility payment, home energy assistance, and HVAC system replacement (only for homeowners).
Extensive Outreach Campaigns are conducted to ensure maximum participation of the neediest families. Efforts are made to serve the elderly and those with special needs, including home visits and group intakes.
LIHEAP Guidelines
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for LIHEAP and LIHWAP services, households must comply with the following:
- Reside in Indian River or Okeechobee counties.
- Total household income must be at or below 60% SMI (State Median Income) or 150% FPG (Federal Poverty Guidelines)
Crisis (Winter and Summer)
- Qualifying households will receive a benefit amount, on a past-due bill, to resolve their energy crisis.
Home Energy
- Households that do not have an energy crisis will receive a credit of up to the maximum allowable amount based on the benefit matrix defined by Florida Commerce.
- The benefit amount will depend on total household income, household size, and if there are any elderly, disabled, or children under age six (6) in the household.
HVAC Replacement
- Qualifying homeowner households will obtain a new HVAC system to replace their inoperable or old system that is already in place.
LIHEAP Application Document Requirements
Every Client Must Provide All Pertaining Documents Listed below for ALL Household Members
- Photo ID (not expired) for all household members over 18 years of age.
- Social Security Cards for all household members.
- Proof of Income for the past 30 days for all household members (if applicable)
- Pay Stubs (4 paystubs if paid weekly, 2 if paid bi-weekly or monthly)
- Child Support
- Social Security, SSI, SSDI – Current award letter
- TANF Award Letter
- Unemployment Benefits
- Self-Employment
- Retirement, Pension, Trust Funds, Veteran Benefits
- Basic Living Expense Form
- Food Stamp Approval Letter, if applicable
- Current Housing/Section 8, HUD voucher, if applicable
- Electric Bill
LIHEAP Application Document Requirements
Online Applications are Suspended Until Further Notice
Indian River County
2455 St. LucieAvenue
Vero Beach, FL 32960
772-562-4177
Okeechobee County
1798 NW 9th Avenue
Okeechobee, FL 34972
863-357-2240
2024 POVERTY GUIDELINES FOR THE 48 CONTIGUOUS STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
| Persons in family/household | Poverty guideline |
|---|---|
| 1 | $15,060 |
| 2 | $20,440 |
| 3 | $25,820 |
| 4 | $31,200 |
| 5 | $36,580 |
| 6 | $41,960 |
| 7 | $47,340 |
| 8 | $52,720 |
For families/households with more than 8 persons, add $5,380 for each additional person.
