Help with Home Heating Costs

The Farmers’ Almanac is predicting that North Dakota’s winter will be colder than usual with very snowy. We don’t know how accurate the prediction will be, but it was a reminder that winter will soon be upon us.

Along with the cold come high home heating bills. People who cannot afford their winter heating bills should apply now for home energy assistance.

Applications for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) are accepted beginning Oct. 1. We don’t want high winter heating bills to force people to cut back on other necessities, like prescription drugs. This past year, 16,000 North Dakota households received help.

Who is eligible?

Eligibility is based on household income and assets. The total adjusted income of all persons living in the household is counted. This year, the income guidelines are $20,961 ($1,747 per month) for a one-person household, and $27,411 ($2,284 per month) for a two-person household. There are allowable deductions for other expenses, including medical expenses.

Assets of people living in the household are also used to determine eligibility. Assets include cash, savings, checking accounts, stocks, bonds, certificates of deposit and burial accounts. Types of property not counted in the $10,000 asset limit include one’s home, household goods, up to two licensed vehicles, and real estate property which is producing reasonable income.

Who should apply?

• Households who buy their heating fuel from a fuel dealer or utility company, and households whose rent payments include the cost of heat, if they do not receive a rent subsidy.
• Households who need assistance with non-repairable furnaces and fuel costs which are high due to houses that are older or in poor shape.
• Households who have difficulty paying fuel bills due to other rising costs and are in danger of losing their heating source. Households in need of emergency assistance are encouraged to submit requests before a shut off or other emergency has occurred.

If you think you may be eligible for the energy assistance program, you should complete an application.

Where to apply

Applications for heating assistance are taken by County Social Service offices. Applications for home weatherization programs are taken by regional Community Action Agencies. For more information on any of these services, call your local County Social Service Office or the state LIHEAP office at 1-800-755-2716.

Individual tribal LIHEAP programs serve tribal members living on reservations in the state.

If you need assistance completing the application, ask the County Social Service office, a friend or a relative to help you.