Oklahoma DHS Begins Accepting Low Income Energy Assistance Applications

NewsOn6.com

TULSA, Oklahoma -- The Oklahoma Department of Human Services has begun accepting applications from those who need assistance paying their energy bills, specifically those whose services are nearing or have been cut off.

Monday morning, a line of applicants were outside the DHS office at 3666 North Peoria.  

Find your local Oklahoma DHS office.

The Department of Human Services says those requesting assistance in the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program will need to provide their household's income information as well as verification that their service has been terminated or will be terminated within 72 hours.

Also required is verification of income, social security numbers for all household members and citizenship verification.

Oklahoma's portion of the federal funding is projected to be about $5.5 million.

The maximum income guidelines are:

Size of Household / Allowable Monthly Net Income

1. $1,174
2. $1,579
3. $1,984
4. $2,389
5. $2,794
6. $3,200
7. $3,605
8. $4,010

DHS Frequency Asked Questions:

How do I apply?

You can complete an application form at a local Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS) Human Services Center during the designated application period.

When are the designated application periods?

All application periods are dependent on available funding.

Heating assistance applications are usually taken the first working day in December.

Energy crisis assistance applications are usually taken for 2 weeks starting the first Monday on or following March 15.

Summer cooling assistance applications are usually taken for 2 weeks starting between July 15 and August 1.

What are the basic eligibility requirements for heating assistance?

Four of the main considerations used in determining eligibility for heating assistance are:

• The number of people in your household;
• Verification that you pay your heating expense (provide a current heating bill);
• Your household income does not exceed 130 percent of the federal poverty guidelines; and
• The household's liquid (cash) resources do not exceed $2,000 for 1 person; $3,000 for 2 persons -- add $50 for each additional person in the household.