Texans struggling to pay their summer cooling bills have an opportunity to receive assistance, provided funds remain available. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), a federally funded initiative, bases eligibility on income. For more information and to apply, individuals are encouraged to connect with the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs or call 211 to discover available resources.
Comprehensive Home Energy Assistance Program
Residents of Rusk, Cherokee, Gregg, Smith, and Wood counties who are SWEPCO customers can access support through Greater East Texas Community Action, while those in Harrison, Panola, Sabine, San Augustine, Shelby, and Upshur counties should reach out to Tri-County Community Action. The Comprehensive Home Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) targets low-income households, with a focus on those facing the most significant energy costs. Assistance includes direct payments to energy suppliers, aiming to ease the financial burden of home energy expenses.
Tremendous Benefit and Success
Eligibility requirements specify that both homeowners and renters may qualify for CEAP if their annual household income does not exceed 150% of the federal poverty level, with documented energy expenses. Brenda Allen, Program Director for Tri-County Community Action, emphasized the program's impact: “This program is very impactful and is highly recommended and needed for our clients,” she said. Allen also praised the collaboration with SWEPCO, stating it has brought "tremendous benefit and success" to their community.
Process of Determining Eligibility
To streamline the eligibility determination process, Allen encourages applicants to prepare current documents, which are delineated on the application's front page under the assistance tab on the website. It's important to note that the application is updated annually, so applicants should ensure they use the form for the correct year. Nationally, LIHEAP benefits households that often include young children, the elderly, veterans, or those with disabilities.
Home Energy Assistance Programs
In 2020, nearly 200,000 Texans received aid through Home Energy Assistance programs, which offer grants for heating, cooling, emergencies, and weatherization throughout the year. SWEPCO President Brett Mattison acknowledged the vital role LIHEAP plays: "LIHEAP is a great help to our customers," he remarked. Mattison encourages potential beneficiaries to explore these and other programs to manage occasional sharp increases in energy bills.
SWEPCO's Easy-To-Use Tool
To aid customers further, SWEPCO has launched an intuitive tool that helps users pinpoint suitable billing assistance options tailored to their needs. By answering a few questions on the website, customers receive various options, including payment plans and extensions. "Whether it’s a payment plan, a payment extension or average monthly payments, we’re here to help local families beat the heat and combat the high bills,” added Mattison.
