Energy Assistance
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Faced with a utility bill you can’t pay? Don’t ignore it; it won’t go away. However, help is available. Northern Electric members with trouble paying electricity bills may qualify for aid from the Department of Social Services.
Through its Energy Assistance Office, SD Social Services offers programs to aid residents including weatherization funds to reduce the cost of heating their home along with payment assistance for heating bills received or anticipated.
The Low Income Heating Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides financial compensation for households to pay heating bills.
It is important for NEC members to know that LIHEAP does not pay the full cost of a family’s home heating. However, the program is designed to assist families who might otherwise be unable to pay the full cost of heating their homes.
The maximum payment allowed (if qualifications are met) is approximately 70 percent of the entire winter heating costs.
No household is automatically eligible. Residents must apply, showing proof that their income does not exceed maximum income guidelines and providing actual bill statements detailing home heating costs. Energy assistance payments are paid directly to energy providers and households are responsible for the portion not covered. Failure to keep your bill current could result in the loss of future energy assistance.
The funds are distributed on a first-come basis. Eligibility and assistance amounts are determined by household size, income, type and cost of heating and location of the home.
An emergency component of LIHEAP is the Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP). But, households MAY NOT receive energy assistance from both programs.
To qualify for ECIP heating funds, the household must meet income guidelines AND be in a crisis situation. Crisis situations include residents that have received a utility disconnection notice or have an eviction notice for non-payment if heat is included in the rent.
ECIP also provides funds for emergency furnace repair. Residents must be eligible for heating assistance AND have a furnace that quit working or have a furnace not working properly.
Call 1-800-233-8503 to apply. After normal business hours, leave a message with your name, social security number, phone number and a description of the problem.
Last year, more than 16,000 SD households were served by the program.
The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) helps households overcome the rising costs of heating by making homes more energy efficient. WAP is operated at the local level by community action agencies or other assistance groups.
The Northeast SD Community Action Program (605-698-7654) serves residents in this area.
Applicants may receive weatherization measures such as weather stripping doors/windows, caulking/sealing cracks and holes in the home, insulating attics, walls and under floors, installing/repairing windows, repair, tune-up or replacement of non-functioning heating systems, and incidental repairs necessary to protect weatherization materials.
The income requirements for energy assistance are not the same as other assistance programs. Typically, households that qualify for other assistance are eligible, but residents that DON’T qualify for programs such as food stamps or welfare may still qualify for energy assistance.
To request assistance from LIHEAP and WAP only one application is needed.