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The Low Income Home Energy (LIHEAP) Assistance Program is funded by the State's Department of Health & Human Services and administered by the Cherokee Nation Family Assistance Department.
The LIHEAP Program is an Energy Assistance Program designed to assist low income Indian households with home heating, cooling, and crisis intervention assistance.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants 60 years of age & older or disabled will be given priority service. All other eligible households will be assisted as funds permit.
Head of household or spouse must be of Indian descent (no blood degree quantum).
Household's monthly income must meet low income guidelines set by the Department of Health & Human Services.
Applicant must live within the jurisdictional boundaries of the Cherokee Nation.
If disabled (under age 60 only) must provide verification. Example: doctor's statement or disability award letters.
Documents Needed
Social Security Card
Residence verification
CDIB/Tribal Membership
Proof of Disability (under 60 years of age only)
Proof of income of all household member(s) (18 & older)
Heating utility account verification
LIHEAP Services Provide:
Heating Assistance Payment
The Heating Program provides assistance to eligible households for their primary source of heating: Wood, Wood Pellets, Natural Gas, Propane, Electric (total electric homes), Kerosene, and Coal.
Benefits are calculated according to the amount of income, energy source, and family size to assure the highest level of payment will be provided to households with the lowest income and highest energy source, taking into consideration family size. The benefit payment will be paid directly to the energy supplier/vendor.
Summer Cooling
A limited number of loaner air conditioners are available for elderly & disabled eligible clients with medically impaired conditions. When funds are available, the elderly are assisted with electric expenses associated with Summer Cooling.
Crisis Intervention
Under the LIHEAP program a Crisis Intervention Program for assistance can be given to families who have experienced hardship and are in jeopardy of getting their utilities turned off or have already had a cut-off. This is a one-time assistance and usually starts in from January and runs according to funding.
The payment standard is based on need and cannot exceed $200.00.
Residential Energy Assistance Challenge (R.E.A.C.H.)
REACH is an eighteen month demonstration project to evaluate other traditional heating sources. The project will also evaluate how extensive residential weatherization will reduce energy consumption as a long-term benefit.
The target population for the pellet stove and weatherization project will be LIHEAP eligible elderly and disabled households and households with children six years of age or younger residing within the fourteen counties of the Cherokee Nation jurisdictional area. Project participants will include those deemed most in need of energy assistance in increasing their comfort, safety and health levels, and in decreasing their energy costs.
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