The electricity company Dominion Energy is giving its low-income users a reminder about the possibility of accessing subsidies to pay the high electricity bills, which skyrocket during the summer. The financial help is available through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). This program offers those families struggling with the overdue bills money in order for them to stay safe at home, specially during the scorching summer.
“Lingering summer temperatures and high humidity can have a significant impact on our customers’ monthly energy bills,” said Sam Dozier, general manager of customer service at Dominion Energy South Carolina. “We want to remind our customers to contact us regarding assistance funding, which is available through LIHEAP, as well as the other payment plans and assistance options we offer year-round.”
How to apply for the EnergyShare program in South Carolina
Dominion Energy also said customers may also be eligible for EnergyShare, a year-round program that supplies energy assistance to income-eligible, elderly or disabled users. Dominion Energy South Carolina introduced EnergyShare in 1982 as part of its commitment to corporate social responsibility.
To be eligible for EnergyShare, customers must qualify: the requirements vary slightly depending on the assistance they seek. Typically, seniors, individuals with disabilities, and those meeting income guidelines are eligible for financial aid. The exact eligibility requirements can be obtained from Dominion Energy South Carolina’s website or their local community action agency.
Same as the LIHEAP program, the individuals must go to their local community action agency and start the process there. This program also covers energy efficiency upgrades and home energy assessments, to help the households to make their homes even more sustainable and energy-efficient. Furthermore, customers can review a variety of payment plans and assistance options by accessing their account online or through Dominion Energy mobile app.
How to request the LIHEAP assistance if you are a customer of Dominion Energy
According to Dominion Energy, more than 85,000 customers received about $40 million in funding through the LIHEAP program, the agency’s other utility bill assistance programs in 2022. In addition, they explained that families who wish to use this money should follow certain steps that begin with contacting their local community action agency, where they will help you submit the application.
If you don’t know where is your local community action agency, take a look here, where you can find a complete list of them all. Remember that the LIHEAP program is only intended as a subsidy to pay bills related to cooling during heat waves or heating during cold months. Usually, the money is given directly to your energy company, and does not pass through the hands of the applicants.
What is the purpose of LIHEAP and what bills does it cover?
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federally funded initiative designed to aid families with energy costs. Its main purpose is to ensure families can stay safe and healthy by helping them cover the costs of heating and cooling their homes acf.hhs.gov. This involves assistance with home energy bills, energy crises, weatherization, and minor energy-related home repairs.
LIHEAP is designed to help low-income households, with priority given to households with vulnerable members such as senior citizens (60 years or older), individuals with disabilities, veterans, or children under six years old. The program’s assistance is offered on a first-come, first-serve basis and eligibility is limited to once in a 12-month period for both Regular LIHEAP benefits and Crisis LIHEAP benefits.