Heating assistance to low income?

[chelaque liberal]

Can anyone tell me if this is true?

Republican relative stated, "All of those welfare people get their heat paid for while we have to be cold."

Is there heat assistance?
Who qualifies?
Is the entire bill paid, in other words, can they have the thermostat turned up as high as they want?

Her comment sounds like BS to me but I would like facts to throw back at her.

Thanks

[hippiechick]

1. Some states, yeah ...

... I used to live in Wisconsin, and part of the Section 8 program would pay part of the monthly electic/gas bill to those who were below a certain income level.

Also, Wisconsin Public Service had a policy that regardless of how far behind you were, they would NOT disconnect you between November and March.

Only humane, I think.

[Nickster]

2. They can qualify for a set amount, not usually the whole bill though.

Do a Google for LIHEAP. The amount of money available for that kind of assistance varies by state, but certainly not everyone on welfare is getting completely subsidized heat.

[rodeodance]

4. it also helps the elderly with fixed incomes (some help)--not all.

[StephanieMarie]

3. back when we were starving students in Des Moines

there was a program calle LowIncomeEnergyAssistance, or something like that, run by our gas company. In the fall, there was a two-week window of opportunity to go in and demonstrate your income, your family size, and the number of rooms in your house. Then some weeks later you'd get a credit to your bill of a few hundred dollars, I think $300 was the most we ever got, which would cover maybe two months of the winter. There is a similar program in Boulder, so I that must be what your friend was referrring to. Our bill certainly was NOT completely paid for for the entire winter, and we still had to keep our heat set at 67 or 68 to not grow broke.

[WePurrsevere]

5. Basically what the others have said but it's not only for those on welfare

it's for low income seniors, disabled and the working poor as well. Since HEAP is a separately run program they may not choose to get any other assistance.. just HEAP. Since it's limited to how much the gov allows in the budget it's awarded for a limited time on a first come first serve basis... once it's gone, it's gone so folks can't just crank up the heat of they don't want to freeze come February (although some non-profits, private businesses and counties are trying to help folks so they don't freeze to death). A couple of other things is I believe that the amount that folks get is set ($400. I think up here plus one time emergency help) so that if oil prices are high they get less also those that live where winter lasts a bit longer get the same amount... to use a gardening term.. a zone 3 gets the same allowance as a zone 5/6.

Also... unfortunately not all northern states have what is called a "Winter Moritorium" where they can't turn your power off during the winter... NY is one that does not except for two weeks during the Christams holidays. I guess they wouldn't want grandma freezing to death in her home then... but it's okay during February. :grr:

As someone said.. Google for more info.. it's a good thing to have in place and saves lives but it's not as good as some apparently think it is.

[bleedingheart]

6. it doesn't pay the entire bill...

it is a humanitarian service ...

In fact some tax money is used but individuals can also donate money to the fund to help the low income folks.

It is a compassionate program...which is why most conservatives don't like it...because their version of compassion is having the poor freeze to death which is supposedly one of the more friendly ways to day...

[Zinfandel]

7. And the billions of dollars the oil companies receive in subsidies

(corporate welfare) Bush dishes out to them from our tax dollars?

[Cocoa]

8. LIHEAP and HEAT

lump sum payments of 220.00, 440.00 and 174.00

[Thirtieschild]

9. We got help without applying for it

We're seniors, retired on a fixed income, paid NM $47 in state taxes and, according to TurboTax, are getting $183 back. At first I figured it was a gigantic error, but read the material closer, and it's for heating. We've lived with the thermostat set at 60 this winter and thanked the Universe for such mild weather - and still paid $208 for propane in January. Next year we're going to have a wood-burning stove. In the meantime, we're doing everything we can to get ready for fire season. No rain, no snow and it's going to be horrendous.

[ScreamingMeemie]

10. It's not a welfare program here, and you don't have to be unemployed

to receive it. Consumers Energy asks people to donate to the fund, people donate...and then other people apply for aid. This woman would like to see people freezing to death? How inhumane of her.

[MemphisTiger]

11. Usually the local government help those less fortunate

and elderly on low income with the cold season. The entire bill is not paid in my area.

[thatgemguy]

12. Details for HEAP in Ohio

Everything you need to know about home energy assistance in Ohio:

http://www.odod.state.oh.us/CDD/OCS/regheap.htm