OVERVIEW

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) assists eligible households in meeting the costs of home energy for heating/cooling. The Louisiana Association of Community Action Partnership (LACAP) is responsible for the administration of the LIHEAP program, and Jefferson Community Action Programs (JeffCAP) is responsible for certifying household eligibility.

The primary goal of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is to assist eligible households to meet the cost of home energy for heating and cooling. The second goal of the program is to conserve energy and to reduce the energy cost of these households through the weatherization of dwellings units. The final goal of this program is to provide for energy crisis intervention in instances of household financial crises, unemployment, etc.

Jefferson Community Action Programs – Language Access Plan; June 2021
The Limited English Proficiency Plan has been prepared to address Jefferson Community Action Programs’ responsibilities as a recipient of federal financial assistance as they relate to the needs of individuals with limited English language skills. CLICK HERE for more information.

PROGRAM GUIDELINES

The LIHEAP Program serves eligible households that meet the eligibility criteria. It specifically targets those households that contain one or more individuals who are:

1.     0 – 5 years old
2.    Disabled
3.    Sixty years or older

To be eligible, household must meet 60% of Estimated State Median Income for each Fiscal Year. 

Add $110.00 to the monthly income limit for each additional member over 10.
Please call your local Community Center to receive the most recent income requirements.

TYPES OF ASSISTANCE

Assistance through LIHEAP utilities provides direct payments to Entergy and ATMOS Energy. The program is design to assist on-going accounts; it cannot avert cutoff or provide reconnect fees or deposits.

Crisis Assistance — The program provides for an energy payment up to $600. A household can receive only one crisis payment benefit during a 12 month period (365 days).

Cooling Assistance — The program provides for an energy payment up to $800 towards the household’s cooling cost. A household can receive only one cooling payment benefit during a 12 month period (365 days).

Heating Assistance — The program provides for an energy payment up to $800 towards the household’s heating cost. A household can receive only one heating payment benefit during a 12 month period (365 days). 

INTAKE PROCEDURE

JeffCAP has eight (8) Community Centers; Six (6) centers on the West Bank of Jefferson Parish and two (2) on the East Bank of the Parish. Intake procedures for the LIHEAP are as follows: An applicant has the opportunity to call for an appointment. To expeidite the process, applicants can complete and print applications online; applications must include supporting documentation (listed below). Appointments are taken on a first-come, first-serve basis.

DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED TO APPLY 

Applicants must be Jefferson Parish residents. All documentation is needed to process your applications. These documents are required for all members residing in your household:

• Utility Bills for Heating and Cooling no older than 30 days
• All check stubs from the previous 30 days for all household employment (additional requirements for self-employment and no-employment will apply)
• Proof of unearned income (Social Security, Unemployment Insurance, Retirement, Pension Funds, Disability, Rental Income, Regular Contributions, etc.)
• Disconnect or Pending Disconnection notice (if you received a shut-off notice from your energy company) (applicable to Crisis Assistance only)
• Proof of present address (rent receipt, lease or deed, etc.)
• Government-issued photo ID of the applicant and their Social Security card
• Proof of total members living in your household and their Social Security cards (exceptions may apply)
• Additional information may be required to determine your eligibility for energy assistance

APPLICATION FORMS:

Click on links below to download forms.

• LIHEAP Application Form (PDF)
• Contributions Statement
• Designated Representative Form
• Self Employment Verification Form
• Verfication of Employment Form
• Zero Income Form