Utilities Assistance

Application for Utility Assistance please click here.

A Core Program of Community Action Partnership
For a family living in a cold house with no hot water, no lights, and no ability to cook a warm meal, immediate needs are the first priority.

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) at Community Action Partnership offers crisis assistance payments to families whose utilities have been shut off, processing more than 1,500 applications each winter. We also work closely with local utility companies to provide meet more than 3,000 requests for basic utilities assistance each winter – for families who would otherwise have to choose between heat or food, for example.

The Utilities Assistance program works in conjunction with Community Action Partnership’s long-term strategies for ending poverty – such as financial literacy classes, life skills and job skills training.

Crisis Assistance
To receive crisis utilities assistance for winter heat, lights and gas, families must meet federal income guidelines for poverty and have proof of a disconnection of services — or be at risk of an immediate disconnection.

Basic Assistance
This federally-funded program operates Oct. 1 – March 31 and helps with a low-income household’s primary heat source. Clients’ do not have to be in a disconnect status, but must meet poverty guidelines. A more limited amount of assistance is also available during the summer months, including free fans and utilities payments for families who qualify.

Weatherization to conserve heat
Families may attend a weatherization class (offered regularly during the fall and winter) to learn how to conserve valuable heat and energy. Attendees receive weatherization supplies at no cost, including weather sealing strips, plastic sheeting and outlet covers.

Help for the Working Poor
Many families fall in the category of “working poor” – their income is just above federal poverty guidelines for assistance, but it’s too low to provide for their basic needs. A limited amount of utilities assistance is available for these families through Community Action Partnership’s Reaching Higher program. Applicants must be employed to qualify for Reaching Higher, and they must have a plan for reaching economic stability. This program receive no federal funding – it is entirely funded through private gifts.