While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the LIHEAP program and compiled a guide and the following answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.
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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 Alabama, LIHEAP is administered by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA).
Learn more about LIHEAP by reviewing the federal program fact sheet here.
For more information about LIHEAP in Alabama, click here.
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs oversees LIHEAP benefits and provides financial assistance for heating and cooling expenses to qualified households. Financial assistance can include payment for:
For more information about LIHEAP’s heating assistance initiative in Alabama, see the 2022 Alabama state LIHEAP Detailed Model Plan here.
LIHEAP Crisis Assistance, like standard LIHEAP benefits, is a money assistance 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.
To determine if the household is in an “an energy-related crisis,” the state considers:
A “life-threatening crisis situation” also qualifies a household for Crisis Assistance. This occurs when:
For qualifying households, the maximum annual benefit amount for LIHEAP Crisis Assistance is $1,110 for heating and $870 for cooling.
Learn more about Crisis Assistance on page 12 of the Detailed Model Plan here.
To determine the amount of energy assistance for which you are eligible, the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs will consider:
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 in Alabama is $880 for heating and $820 for cooling, and the minimum annual benefit amount is $580 for heating and $620 for cooling.
To qualify for LIHEAP in Alabama, you must meet the following requirements:
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs prioritizes households with elderly, disabled or young members. Elderly is considered 60 years or older, and young is considered five years old or younger.
Learn more about the LIHEAP financial eligibility requirements in Alabama 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:
Eligible households can only apply for LIHEAP heating assistance from October 1st until May 31st (heating season) and LIHEAP cooling assistance June 1st until September 30th (cooling season) each year.
To apply for LIHEAP in Alabama, complete the following three steps:
Learn what documents and information you need to complete the process here.
Find your nearest Community Action Partnership (CAP) office and contact information here.
Access the Alabama LIHEAP application here.
Note that applications for Crisis Assistance, for households that meet the state definition of a crisis, can be submitted year-round.
If you have questions about the application process or require assistance, contact your nearest Community Action Partnership (CAP) office. Find your nearest CAP office here.
When applying for Alabama LIHEAP benefits, you will need to provide:
The state will need the following documents and information to confirm your eligibility for LIHEAP benefits:
Learn more about the documentation needed during the LIHEAP application process here.
You can call the Community Action Partnership office where you applied directly to check your application status.
Click here to find your local office and contact information.
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs will notify you within 30 days of receiving 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.
If you are denied Alabama LIHEAP benefits, you may request a hearing to appeal the decision by writing a statement to your local Community Action Partnership (CAP) office where you applied within 45 days of when you received the denial. Find your nearest local CAP office here.
If the CAP representative cannot resolve the dispute, you can request a hearing in writing to the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs. To begin this process, write a letter with your request and mail it to:
Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs
Energy Division
P.O. Box 5690
Montgomery, AL 36103-5690
Once the Department of Economic and Community Affairs receives the appeal, they will set up a hearing and notify you of the date, time and location.
If you have questions about the appeal process, contact:
If you have questions about LIHEAP benefits in Alabama or require further assistance, contact your local Community Action Partnership office. Find your nearest Community Action Partnership (CAP) office and contact information here.
You can also contact the CAP Association of Alabama phone line at (205) 227-7688 or email at info@caaalabama.org.
Or, call the Department of Economic and Community Affairs benefits phone line at (334) 242-5100.
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 and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view or download our free guide here.
Last Updated: September 16, 2022