If you are currently receiving Georgia food stamps, you may also qualify for other financial assistance in Georgia. The USDA offers several government benefit programs that provide financial help low-income households.
In this article, we help you find our if you are eligible to receive help with your energy bill through the Georgia Energy Assistance Program. You may qualify to receive up to $500 per month through the Georgia Low Income Heating and Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
To see if you eligible for help paying for your heating and energy bill, continue reading below.
Georgia Financial Assistance Programs
The Georgia Department of Human Resources offers energy assistance to those qualified low-income households. Georgia Energy Assistance Program is run by the Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS).
The Georgia DFCS is also responsible for the following low-income assistance programs:
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)/Food Stamps Program
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
- Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
- Childcare and Parent Services
- Health Coverage
- Medicaid
Food stamp and SNAP recipients may be eligible to receive financial assistance through the Georgia Energy Assistance Program – LIHEAP. To learn more about energy assistance and to see if you qualify, continue reading this post.
For help with Rental Assistance, see our Georgia Rental Assistance guide.
Georgia Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for 2024
The Georgia Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides financial assistance to eligible low-income households. LIHEAP applies cash benefits directly towards the household’s home energy and heating bill.
The program also provides assistance to those low-income households experiencing an energy crisis. For instance, households experiencing a life-threatening heating or cooling emergency or long-term, low-cost home weatherization assistance.
Based on your situation, LIHEAP will provide eligible low-income households with any of the following types of assistance:
Energy Bill Payment Assistance
If you are a low-income household in Georgia, you may qualify to receive Energy Bill Payment Assistance through LIHEAP.
What is Energy Bill Payment Assistance?
Energy Bill Payment Assistance is ongoing financial assistance provided to low-income households on a monthly basis.
How much Energy Bill Payment Assistance can I receive?
Your monthly Energy Bill Payment Assistance amount is dependent upon various factors including your household income and current utility expenses. You must qualify for Energy Bill Payment Assistance after a set period of time.
Energy Crisis Assistance
If your household is experiencing a life-threatening heating or cooling crisis, you may qualify to receive Energy Crisis Assistance through LIHEAP.
What is Energy Crisis Assistance?
Energy Crisis Assistance provides temporary financial assistance during a heating or cooling crisis. To qualify, you must receive a disconnection notice or your utilities are already disconnected.
How soon can I receive Energy Crisis Assistance?
If you qualify for Energy Crisis Assistance, you will receive service within 48 hours after you apply. If you’re in a life-threatening situation, you will receive service within 18 hours after you apply for assistance.
Eligibility guidelines for Energy Crisis Assistance in Georgia are the same as the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.
Weatherization and Energy Home Repairs
You may also qualify to receive weatherization and energy home repair assistance through LIHEAP.
What is Energy Home Repair Assistance?
Weatherization and energy home repair assistance provides low-cost home repairs related to heating, cooling, or other weatherization and energy issues. Proper home weatherization can save households over $300 per year.
If you need additional assistance covering the upfront costs of preparing your home for efficient energy use, you may be eligible for Georgia’s Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP). To learn more about Georgia WAP for low-income households check out our article.
Georgia LIHEAP Eligibility Guidelines for 2024
In order to receive financial assistance from the GA Energy Assistance Program, you must first meet certain requirements. If you do not meet the following requirements, you will not be eligible to receive Low Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) in Georgia.
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 $26,474; the income threshold for a household of five is $59,057.
For help, see the Georgia Energy Assistance Income Limit Chart for 2024 below:
| Household Size | Level 1 Annual Income Maximum ($450 Benefit) | Level 2 Annual Income Maximum ($350 Benefit) |
Level 3 Annual Income Maximum – Elderly/Disabled ($500 Benefit)
|
| 1 | $17,207 | $26,474 | $26,474 |
| 2 | $22,502 | $34,619 | $34,619 |
| 3 | $27,796 | $42,765 | $42,765 |
| 4 | $33,091 | $50,911 | $50,911 |
| 5 | $38,386 | $59,057 | $59,057 |
| 6 | $43,681 | $67,203 | $67,203 |
| 7 | $44,673 | $68,730 | $68,730 |
| 8 | $45,666 | $70,257 | $70,257 |
| 9 | $46,659 | $71,785 | $71,785 |
| 10 | $47,652 | $73,312 | $73,312 |
| 11 | $48,644 | $74,839 | $74,839 |
| 12 | $49,637 | $76,367 | $76,367 |
The basic requirements that need to be met are:
- You must be a U.S. Citizen or legally admitted immigrant.
- Your total Gross Household Income must be at or below 60% of Georgia’s Median Income (refer to the chart below).
- You must be the person responsible for the paying your household’s energy bill and accept full responsibility for paying the cost of the energy bill for your household’s primary energy source.
- You are not a tenant of subsidized housing whose heating bill is including in your rental payment.
What you need to apply for GA LIHEAP
Georgia households seeking energy assistance must contact their local CAA.
All applicants will be required to provide the following:
- Most recent heating bill or statement of service from their heating providers;
- Social Security numbers for each member of the household;
- Proof of Citizenship for each member of the household;
- 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 a letter granting public assistance, and,
- Social Security or unemployment benefits for all household members, if applicable.
GA Energy Assistance Application
If you believe that you qualify to receive financial assistance through the GA Energy Assistance Program and would like to apply, please pay close attention to the Georgia LIHEAP application deadlines outlined below.
The application period for the Georgia LIHEAP begins on the first workday of November every year.
**This application period is only open to homebound, the elderly over the age of 65, and those with life-threatening circumstances.
For the 2024 Georgia LIHEAP Application date, please refer to the dates below:
Georgia LIHEAP Application Date for 2024 (Elderly & Disabled Only)
2024 LIHEAP Application Date: Friday, November 1, 2024
If you do not fall into any of the three categories listed above, the LIHEAP application for all low-income Georgia households opens on the first workday in December.
For the 2025 Georgia Energy Assistance Program Application Date, please refer to the date below:
Georgia LIHEAP Application Date for 2024 (Low-Income Households)
2024 LIHEAP Application Date: Sunday, December 1, 2024
All LIHEAP applicants are served on a first-come, first serve basis by each agency for the counties they serve.
The program operates until the end of April of the following year or until funding runs out, whichever comes first.
It is important that you apply as early to the application as possible to avoid funding running out.
Georgia LIHEAP Application Process
The process for submitting a Georgia LIHEAP application is simple. All applications for Georgia LIHEAP are made through your local Community Action Agency.
Currently, assistance is available in all 159 Georgia counties.
To locate the Community Action Agency in your county, please go to the use the agency finder tool on Georgia Community Action Association (GCAA) website listed below.
Find your Georgia LIHEAP Location – GCAA Agency Finder
Georgia LIHEAP Application Requirements
If applying for the Georgia Energy Assistance Program LIHEAP, all applicants are required to provide the following items:
- Proof of Income for all household members for the past 30 days (W-2, Pay Stub, Tax Document)
- Proof of Social Security Number (SSN) for each person in the household
- Most recent Gas and Electric Bill for the household
- Proof of Citizenship or Legal Immigrant Status
All three items listed above are required in order to apply for energy assistance in Georgia. Any fraudulent information will result in financial restitution from the applicant.
For additional information, please call 404-657-3426.
Georgia LIHEAP Amount
Your local Community Action Agency (CAA) is responsible for determining the amount of financial assistance that you will receive through Georgia LIHEAP.
On average, Georgia LIHEAP recipients can expect to receive $350 in energy assistance with a maximum of $500 per household.
Georgia LIHEAP financial assistance will generally be in the form of a check that is issued directly to your utility company on behalf of your household.
The amount of financial assistance that your household will receive is dependent upon several factors including:
- Estimated household income for the year (including taxes)
- Number of people in your household
- Average energy bill amount per month
- Energy bill payment schedule
- Estimated increased cost of your home heating energy
The CAA is responsible for providing LIHEAP services to Georgia residents on behalf of the Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS).
For information on CAA’s in your area, please call 1-877-423-4746.
Georgia LIHEAP Contact Information
For questions or more information about the Georgia Energy Assistance Program LIHEAP, you can call the State LIHEAP Office to speak with someone at the following phone number:
Georgia LIHEAP Office Phone Number: (404) 657-3427
GA Low Income Home Energy Assistance FAQs
Check out our most frequently asked questions about the Georgia Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.
Will LIHEAP pay for my entire utility bill?
Your benefit amount is determined by your household size, income, and if there are
seniors present in the home. For the heating program, eligible households will receive
up to $500.00 towards their energy costs.
If I applied for LIHEAP cooling assistance this year, can I still apply for LIHEAP heating assistance?
Yes, each household is eligible to apply for one heating assistance and one cooling assistance per program year.
Can I complete a heating assistance application online?
No, you must go the local Community Action Agency that covers your county to apply
for heating benefits. Click here to find the CAA location near you.
How does the LIHEAP Application process work?
To apply for Georgia LIHEAP, contact your local Community Action Agency to schedule an Intake Appointment to complete the application. Once the application process is complete, the agency will inform you if you are eligible for the benefit.
Please be sure to continue to pay your bill to avoid any disconnection while your application is in process.
Can Georgia LIHEAP help with my water bill?
No, LIHEAP assistance can only be used towards home energy services. However, Georgia now offers the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP).
Can I go to another county to complete my LIHEAP application?
No, you must complete your application at the CAA location in the county where you live.
Georgia EBT Discounts
Georgia SNAP recipients are eligible for a variety of EBT discounts and benefits including discounted Amazon Prime membership, free admission to museums and zoos, discounted phone and internet service, and energy assistance.
For more information about the other discounts and deals offered to Georgia SNAP recipients, check out our Georgia EBT Discounts list for 2024.
Georgia Assistance Summary
We hope this post about the Georgia Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) was helpful to you!
If you have any questions about Energy Assistance in Georgia, how to apply, or determining if you qualify, please leave those in the comments section below.
If you would like to cover another topic pertaining to Georgia LIHEAP, you can also leave those in the comments below.
In the meantime, check out our other articles about Georgia EBT benefits:
Free Food Banks in Georgia
How to get Free Internet in Georgia
Georgia EBT Card Discounts
Free Admission with Georgia EBT