ATLANTA — Eligible residents may apply for cooling assistance through the Division of Family & Children Service’s Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) beginning April 1, 2020.

LIHEAP is a federally-funded program that is designed to assist low-income, elderly and disabled Georgians with cooling costs through direct payments to home energy suppliers. Eligible households will receive between $350.00 to $400.00 toward their energy costs.

To qualify, a family’s annual income must be less than or equal to 60 percent of the median income for a Georgia family. For a household of one, the income threshold is $23,776; the income threshold for a household of five is $53,040.

Funds are administered through local Community Action Agencies. Contact your local Community Action 
Agency to determine how the program will accept applications and if any demographic will receive 
priority service. Those seeking assistance may apply starting on April 1 and will be asked to 
provide the following:

  • The most recent cooling bill or statement of service from their heating providers
  • Most recent heating bill or statement of service
  • Social Security cards for each member of the household
  • Proof of Citizenship for the applicant
  • Proof of Income for the last 30 days for each adult member of the household. Proof of Income can include, but is not limited to, a paycheck stub or public assistance verification letter.
  • Verification of Social Security or unemployment benefits for all applicable household members

The LIHEAP program helped more than 190,000 customers with heating and cooling bills, providing over $68 million in total assistance for FY2019.  The average customer received between $350 and $400 in assistance with their home heating and cooling ills.

For more information on the program, contact your local Community Action Agency. To find a Community Action Agency in your area, visit http://www.georgiacaa.org.

About Georgia LIHEAP assistance
LIHEAP offers Four Primary Services:  Regular Energy Assistance, Crisis Intervention Assistance, 
Cooling Assistance and Weatherization.

The Heating Program is currently running and will continue until funds have been exhausted.

Heating Assistance opened on Nov. 1 for medically homebound and elderly households (ages 65 years 
and older). This demographic is always extended benefits first as Georgia’s priority group.

Beginning on Dec. 1 the heating program opened up more widespread to the general public and benefits were provided on a first come/first served basis.  Applications are still being accepted for heating assistance.

The LIHEAP Program is administered by Community Partners Statewide. In FY 2019 there were 191,425 
households served;140,795 in FY2018; 137,385 in FY 2017 and 129,446 in FY 2016.
 

LIHEAP Cooling FAQ