The Lane County Low-Income Household Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is paused due to federal budget uncertainty and the current government shut-down.
Annually, the Lane County LIHEAP program serves over 7,000 limited-income households with utility bill assistance. Historically, the program year starts in the fall with local nonprofit and government agencies mailing applications to households with senior or disabled members, to fill out and return for assistance. This year, these applications will not be mailed until the federal budget passes with identified LIHEAP funding. In addition, the LIHEAP program waiting lists, which usually open in December, will not open to the general public until after the mailed applications are processed.
LIHEAP funds are federal and are part of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families programs. Lane County Human Services Division works with 10 local agencies to administer LIHEAP across the region.
Updates on LIHEAP funding and timelines will be posted to www.lanecountyor.gov/energyassistance as well as resources for households currently in need on what other local programs that may be able to assist them.