National Center for Appropriate Technology
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(406) 494-2905 fax www.ncat.org

LIHEAP Cooling Assistance Benefit Levels

Note: The table below contains information obtained from FY2011 state LIHEAP plans and a survey of LIHEAP directors in late 2012.

State FY Cool min Cool mean Cool max Comment
Alabama
2011     $400  
Arizona
2011 $75   $640  
Arkansas
2011 $61 $153 $309 $700 max for cooling if crisis is involved
California
2010 $158   $538  
Delaware
2011     $300 Flat benefit or air conditioner
District of Columbia
2011 $49  $571  $1,300   
Florida
2011     $600 Benefit may be used for equipment repair or replacement
Georgia
2011     $350  
Hawaii
2011   $553 $882 Benefit can be used for heating or cooling
Indiana
2011     $50 $50 electric benefit; up to $275 for for room AC for medically needy
Kansas
2011   $263 $2,160 Minimim/maximum benefits are dependant on fuel type. Clients can split one-time heating benefit between heating and electric vendors and apply part to summer bill.
Louisiana
2011 $150   $600 Households with one or more members of the targeted group, 60 yrs or older, disabled, 5 yrs and under, receive an additional benefit of $100.
Mississippi
2011       The benefit level depends on the applicant's bill amount, the result of case management analysis and degree of participation in the established case plan.
Missouri
2011     $300 Individuals who are eligible for home energy assistance may receive up to a maximum of $300 during the months of June 1 through September 30 to restore or prevent disconnection of service or to purchase or repair an air conditioner.
Nebraska
2011 $81   $262  
Nevada
2011 $180   $1,705 Eligible household may request to have their benefit a) distributed entirely to their heating provider, or b) distributed entirely to their electric (cooling) provider, or c) split between heating and cooling provider.
New Jersey
2011         $260 Flat benefit of $160 plus $100 supplement for medically necessary cooling.
New Mexico
2011   $121 $560 No regular cooling program, one-time benefit payment can be used for summer electricity
North Carolina
2011     $600  
Ohio
2011     $175  
Oklahoma
2011     $250 $200 max for 1 person household; $250 max for 2 or more person household
South Carolina
2011 $225   $500  
Tennessee
2011 $300   $600  
Texas
2011     $1,200  
Utah
2011     $625 Persons in counties where the Year-Round Demo is operating may apply for energy assistance only once during the year and this may occur during the summer.
Virginia
2011 $150   $600 Purchase or repair of cooling equipment and/or payment for electricity to operate cooling equipment. Household must contain at least one vulnerable individual who is age 60 or over, disabled, or under age 6.
Wisconsin
2010     $1,200 Part of year-round crisis, cooling must be medically necessary. No household will be eligible for crisis cooling assistance without a declaration by a local or state public health agency of a heat emergency and authorization is given by the Department of Administration. Benefit may include room air conditioner repair/purchase, fans, education on energy conservation measures, or budget counseling.

Page last updated: December 1, 2011