The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP or HEA) is designed to help low-income families and individuals meet home heating and medically necessary cooling costs. Although the application deadline has passed, acceptance for USF applications will continue to be handled through May 31.

  LIHEAP is administered by the Department of Community Affairs.

To be eligible for LIHEAP benefits, the applicant household must be responsible for home heating or cooling costs, either directly or included in the rent; and have gross income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. The chart below gives specific monthly gross income maximums for FFY 2016.

  Persons who live in public housing and/or receive rental assistance are not eligible unless they pay for their own heating/cooling costs directly to the fuel supplier. The amount of the LIHEAP heating benefit is determined by income, household size, fuel type, and heating region.  This year, the medically necessary cooling assistance benefit is set at $200.

  To apply for LIHEAP, USF, Cooling Assistance or Weatherization please contact your local

Gateway Community Action Partnership: Cumberland (856-451-6330), Gloucester (856-423-0040) and Salem (856-935-0944).