Basic utilities like water, gas, and electricity are critical for every household. 

They are necessary for things like cooking, cleaning, and keeping our homes comfortable. 

Unfortunately, these don’t come cheap. 

Paying monthly utility bills can be quite difficult for the average American family these days. 

This can be especially difficult for families who have low incomes or who are already facing financial challenges. 

However, you should know there’s help you could benefit from! 

Cutting Your Energy Costs With Federal Assistance Programs

The federal government designed programs to help needy families pay some of their utility bills. 

Additionally, some of these programs offer to improve your home’s energy efficiency through repairs and fixes. 

The two main programs you can turn to are:

• Weatherization Assistance Program
• Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program

Weatherization Assistance Program

We all know that using less energy saves you money! 

The Weatherization Assistance Program is run by the US Department of Energy and is offered across the country.

Through it, the DOE helps low-income households reduce their monthly energy costs. 

More often than not, they do this by repairing and improving the home’s systems. 

This process begins when a professional performs a detailed inspection on the applicant’s home. 

By doing this, they can figure out the necessary repairs the home in question requires. 

It also helps the program determine what sort of repairs would be the right choice for improving a certain home’s energy efficiency. 

The repairs can range from filling up cracks and holes in walls to installing higher-quality lighting and refrigeration systems. 

Sometimes, the audit may also detect safety hazards that are present, and the program will deal with those as well. 

These hazards may include mold on walls, lead paint on furniture, and air filtration issues. 

Are you eligible for the program?

If you and your family need help paying your energy bills and you have a low income, you might be able to get help from the Weatherization Assistance Program.

The primary factor for eligibility is the income a household generates. 

However, there are ways to instantly qualify for the program. 

You can do this by already being a user of certain programs. Take the Supplemental Security Income program for example. 

Additionally, you may gain an edge over the other applicants if your household contains any of the following:

• An elderly person
• One or more disabled members
• Small children

How to apply?

Every journey begins with the first step, and in order to gain support from this program, you’ll have to contact the authority responsible for it in your area. 

Find the program’s administrator in your state and tell them you want to apply.

Once you’ve done that and gathered all the necessary documents, the next step is to apply. 

You can do this at any of the Weatherization Assistance offices in your area and it’s fairly quick to do. 

You will, however, have to provide proof of income when applying. 

Finally, once you’ve submitted your application, the Weatherization Agency will review it. 

This way they can make sure their support reaches those in need.

Of course, the program’s administration prioritizes the most “difficult” cases. 

This means that even if you don’t receive assistance immediately if you’ve been approved, you’re simply on a waiting list. 

If you’re not the owner of the home you’re applying for the program, you must first get approval from the actual owner.

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program

This program, on the other hand, is made possible by the US Department of Health and Human Services. 

However, they also aim to reduce the costs of bills for low-income families in the country! 

Instead of focusing on the necessary repairs on the home, they offer support by covering a portion of the utility bill. 

This can include bills for electricity, natural gas, oil, and other types of energy.

Despite it not being one of their main forms of assistance, LIHEAP also helps with weatherization and any energy-related home repairs.

Are you eligible and how to apply?

Much like with the previous program, your eligibility will mostly depend on your household’s monthly income.

In line with this, those families that have it the worst will take priority when it comes to providing support. 

If you wish to benefit from LIHEAP, the first thing to do is contact the local agency in charge of the program. 

However, you can fill out your LIHEAP application online in many states.  

The application process is usually quick and easy, and you will need to provide proof of your income and your energy bills.

Conclusion

Even though the cost of bills can be difficult, there are a variety of assistance options out there that may be able to help. For energy bills in particular, two support programs include:

• Weatherization Assistance Program
• Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program

If you are interested, you will need to check out the administering office for each program. This will be the best place to take the next step towards more affordable bills!