With the temperatures dropping for the fall and winter seasons, Dallas County residents can soon start applying for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

New Opportunities Dallas County Outreach Coordinator Beth Morman explains that LIHEAP includes households getting a lump sum of money to help pay for the typically higher heating costs in the winter and that households are guaranteed to not have their heat or electricity shut off through April 30th. She describes that the program is based on the gross income of residents for a household, and can use people’s paystubs or if they have a change of occupation, can go off of the previous year’s taxes. 

Morman notes that during October, eligible residents that can apply are the elderly and the disabled population, but starting November 1st, it’s open to anyone who meets the income requirements. She details that the program was able to help serve 1,600 families within Dallas County last year. Morman says that people can apply by scheduling an in-person appointment, through the mail, or a link will be made available online through the New Opportunities website. 

When showing up for an appointment, Morman concludes that people need to bring copies of Social Security cards for each occupant in the household over the age of 18, in addition to having the most recent gas, electric, or propane bill; as well as their income. The link to the application can be found by clicking here or people can call (515)-465-5185 for more information.