Georgia Energy Assistance Program
The Georgia Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a program that provides financial assistance to low-income households in a timely manner. The program only serves households that meets the programs eligibility test. The program is also available nationally in other states as it is funded by the federal government. Funding is provided through the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). However, state legislatures provide additional funding to supplement the money received from the federal government. Money to fund the program comes from four main sources namely, block grants, Contingency Funds, Leveraging Incentive Programs, and the Residential Energy Assistance Challenge Program. LIHEAP works in collaboration with the Weatherization Assistance program (WAP) to perform its functions. Many households that struggle to make ends meet benefit immensely from the program.
Program’s Evolution
The history of the program dates back to the 1980s when the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) was created to mitigate rising energy prices (“Georgia Heap,” 2013). A year later, it was replaced with LIHEAP. In 1984, the program was expanded to include financing to low-income households for cooling costs. This improvement was part of the Human Services Reauthorization Act. In that regard, the services were rolled out in all states. Each state administers the program according to the needs of its people. For instance, Georgia provides funding for minor home repairs and energy bill payment (“Georgia Energy Assistance Program,” 2018). The program has grown immensely. For instance, in 2016, 129, 446 households benefited from the program’s funding.
LIHEAP’s Purpose
As mentioned earlier, the main role of the program is to provide timely and appropriate financial assistance to low-income households that cannot afford to pay their energy bills and conduct energy-related repairs (“Georgia Energy Assistance Program,” 2018). In addition, it offers energy crisis assistance in cases of heating or cooling emergencies. The program only offers assistance in life-threatening emergency situations. LIHEAP also provides long-term weatherization assistance at affordable prices (“Georgia Energy Assistance Program,” 2018). Households eligible for the program’s assistance also enjoy other services such as energy bill payment and energy-related minor home repairs (“Georgia Heap,” 2013). Eligible households are given financial assistance in the form of checks that are issued directly to the utility companies or vendors that provide energy services.
Program Description
The LIHEAP is funded by the federal government and it is available in all 159 counties in the state. In order to fulfill its mission, the program is comprised of several divisions that carry out specific functions. Applications are made through a local Community Action Agency (“Low Income Heating and Energy Assistance,” 2018). The Division of Family and Children Services (DCFS) is responsible for funding through the program’s main functions that include regular energy assistance, cooling assistance, crisis intervention assistance, and weatherization (“Low Income Heating and Energy Assistance,” 2018).
Applicants are required to provide proof of household income and energy bills. Individuals apply for assistance through a Local Community Action Agency, that is responsible for allocating funds to eligible homesteads. Assistance is given until the funds are exhausted. Homebound and elderly individuals submit their applications during the first day of November each year while the rest submit their applications during the first day of December. After applications are received, the program runs on until the funds are exhausted.
Functions
The program provides crisis assistance within 48 hours and within 18 hours in the case of emergencies (“Low Income Heating and Energy Assistance,” 2018). Examples of emergencies include broken heating equipment, lack of fuel, and inoperable main heating source. Home heating crisis situations are handled through local county assistance offices. In certain instances, this assistance excludes the payment of energy bills within specific time periods because of the time taken to determine energy-benefit eligibility (“Low Income Heating and Energy Assistance,” 2018). Cooling assistance is provided during the summer season and it is given in accordance with the eligibility requirements stipulated in the Regulatory Energy Assistance Program. Priority is given to elderly and homebound people. Weatherization services are provided by the Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority through the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) (“Low Income Heating and Energy Assistance,” 2018).
Its functions include education on energy saving activities, the payment of energy bills for eligible households, and the provision of energy-saving repairs to the homes of low-income families (“Low Income Heating and Energy Assistance,” 2018). Examples of services provided include ceiling installation, weather-stripping, and caulking. Local nonprofit organizations also provide these services to eligible organizations. according to assistance guidelines, weatherization assistance for a single household should no exceed $4,000 (“Low Income Heating and Energy Assistance,” 2018). Only households whose total income is below 200% of poverty level can receive assistance. Community Action Agencies provide support with regard to LIHEAP services in communities.
Means Test Utilized
Individuals applying for assistance through the program must be citizens of the United States and residents of the state of Georgia. In case of immigrants, the individuals must be in possession of legal admission documents (“Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program,” 2018). The individual’s annual household income should be at 60% of Georgia’s Median Income or below that (“Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program,” 2018).
The applicant should also be in a position to pay the energy bill for the main home heating source. Eligible households are divided into two levels of income and each level receives a fixed amount of funding. Level I income households receive $350 while level II receive $310 (“Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program,” 2018). Applications are processed at designated local community centers, and application forms contain information such as proof of income, energy bill, and the size of the household. This information is vital in the determination of eligible households. Individuals who provide fraudulent information are disqualified. Housing tenants with subsidized fuel costs are ineligible to receive financial assistance.
Program’s Administration
The program is funded by the federal government and administered by the Department of Health and Human Services. Several divisions of the federal government provide oversight to ensure that the money is used appropriately (“Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program,” 2018). The federal government gives money to the state government and the state government allocates the money to local governments through its divisions. For example, the Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority administers the weatherization assistance program through its Energy Resources Division (“Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program,” 2018).
Community Action Agencies provided LIHEAP services to the citizens on behalf of the Division of Family and Children Services. The Energy Resource Division and the Environmental Facilities Authority provide assistance for different services within the program. For example, the Energy Resource Division offers assistance by paying the bills of approved households. The federal government does not give any form of assistance directly to the public as it is conducted through state divisions. Each state disseminates the funds through its various departments.
Conclusion
The Georgia Low-income Household Energy assistance program is administered by the Department of Family and Children Services. It serves low-income households by providing financial assistance in areas that include regular energy assistance, cooling assistance, weatherization, and crisis intervention assistance. The program pays the energy bills of eligible households and meets the costs of energy-related home repairs. The program is funded by the federal government, and it is available in all 159 counties. It has evolved significantly since its creation and has expanded to give assistance to both American citizens and documented immigrants.
References
Georgia Energy Assistance Program. (2018). Web.
Georgia Heap. (2013). Web.
Low Income Heating and Energy Assistance. (2018). Web.
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. (2018). Web.