LIHEAP FAQ Sheets - LIHEAP Assistance

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LIHEAP FAQ Sheets

Table of Contents 

What Is the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program?

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides assistance for energy costs to low-income households. LIHEAP is a federal program that is administered by individual states, territories, and tribes. In Mississippi, LIHEAP is administered by the Mississippi Association of Community Action Agencies.

Learn more about LIHEAP by reviewing the federal program fact sheet here.

For more information about LIHEAP in Mississippi, click here.

What Does LIHEAP Cover in Mississippi?

The Mississippi Association of Community Action Agencies oversees LIHEAP benefits and provides financial assistance for heating and cooling expenses to qualified households. Financial assistance can include payment for:

  • Past-due utility bills
  • Deliverable fuel (propane and wood)
  • Disconnection/reconnection fees
  • Repairs and replacements of worn parts on heating units
  • Home weatherization

For more information about LIHEAP’s heating and cooling assistance initiative in Mississippi, see the Mississippi state 2022 LIHEAP Detailed Model Plan here.

About LIHEAP Crisis Assistance

LIHEAP Crisis Assistance, like standard LIHEAP benefits, is a cash grant provided to the utility companies of eligible individuals in certain situations.

If your household meets all the eligibility requirements above and has an energy-related crisis, you may qualify for LIHEAP Crisis Assistance.

The state of Mississippi defines a “crisis situation” as one where a household:

  • Has no more than 2 days (48 hours) of bulk fuel left,
  • Is in danger of having their utilities disconnected, or
  • Has already had their utilities disconnected by their service provider

A “life-threatening crisis situation” also qualifies a household for Crisis Assistance. This occurs when:

  • A member of the household is a medical or health risk because of the energy loss,
  • A member of the household has a condition that requires the use of a medical device/medication that requires energy OR
  • A household has no more than 18 hours of bulk fuel remaining during winter when heating is required.

For qualifying households, the maximum annual benefit amount for LIHEAP Crisis Assistance is a one-time payment of $1,500.

Learn more about Crisis Assistance on page 12 here.

How Much Assistance Does LIHEAP Provide in Mississippi?

To determine the amount of energy assistance for which you are eligible, the Mississippi Association of Community Action Agencies will consider:

  1. Your household size and income for the month prior to your application
  2. The fuel type you need (electricity, propane, natural gas, or heating oil)

Also, whether you are eligible for regular LIHEAP payments or Crisis Assistance payments will influence your maximum benefit amount.

As of 2022, the maximum annual benefit amount for heating or cooling assistance in Mississippi is $1,500 and the minimum annual benefit amount is $1.

How to Qualify for LIHEAP in Mississippi

To qualify for LIHEAP in Mississippi, you must meet the following requirements:

  • Be a resident of the state
  • At least one household member must be a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident
  • Have an out-of-pocket energy expense from an account opened in the name of the head of the household or their spouse
  • Have an annual income that is less than the LIHEAP income limit for your household size, which is no more than 150 percent of the established Federal Poverty Level. To view the annual income limits, click here.

Learn more about the LIHEAP financial eligibility requirements in Mississippi here.

If you or a member of your family participates in the benefit programs below, then you may automatically be eligible for LIHEAP based on your income:

  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Learn more here.
  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Learn more here.
  • Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). Learn more here.

How to Apply for LIHEAP in Mississippi

To apply for LIHEAP in Mississippi, complete the following two steps:

  1. Choose how you are going to apply, whether online or in person. 

In Mississippi, you can apply for LIHEAP online or by visiting your local Community Action Agency (CAA).

  1. Submit the LIHEAP application and other required documents.

To apply for LIHEAP online, click here and complete the online application.

To apply for LIHEAP in person, find your nearest Community Action Agency office and contact information here.

If you have questions about the application process or require assistance, call the Mississippi Department of Human Services at (601) 359-4500.

What You Will Need to Apply

When applying for Mississippi LIHEAP benefits, you will need to provide:

  • Personal and financial information about yourself and the members of your household
  • Details about your home and its heating and cooling

The state may need the following documents and information to confirm your eligibility for LIHEAP benefits:

  • Names, birth dates and Social Security numbers for all household members
  • Utility bill information (vendor name and account number)
  • Residence information (landlord’s name, address and phone number, if renting)
  • Income verification for the last three months (pay stubs)

How to Check Your Application Status

You can call your local Community Action Agency office to check your application status.

Click here to find your local office and contact information.

What Happens After You Apply for LIHEAP in Mississippi?

The Mississippi Association of Community Action Agencies will notify you after processing your application if you are approved to receive benefits. All LIHEAP payments are made to the heating or energy provider directly. Benefit payments will not be sent to you.

How to Appeal a Denial of Benefits

If you are denied Mississippi LIHEAP benefits, you may request a hearing to appeal the decision. To request a hearing, you must contact your local CAA office here.

If the CAA representative cannot resolve the dispute, you can request a hearing with the Department of Human Services.

If you have questions about the appeal process, contact the Department of Human Services at (601) 359-4500.

Need More Help?

If you have questions about LIHEAP benefits in Mississippi or require further assistance, contact your local Community Action Agency. Find your nearest Community Action Agency (CAA) office and contact information here.

You can also contact the general CAA phone line at (601) 882-5980. Or, call the Department of Human Services at (601) 359-4500.

View or Download Our Free Guide

While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program and compiled a guide that we believe is simple to use and easy to understand. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing detailed information on the process.

Our free LIHEAP Guide is filled with helpful information about how to apply for LIHEAP, program eligibility requirements and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view or download our free guide here.

Last Updated: September 19, 2022