For many low-income households, the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEP) is a key source of help in getting through the most difficult times of the year, such as winter 2025. In fact, North Dakota’s LIHEP offers energy credits and assistance for heating and cooling. On the other hand, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) also offers monthly credits. Faced with a potential payment crisis, the Department of Health and Human Services is trying to find a solution to protect all families. Read on to learn more.
LIHEP is helping Americans
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is ongoing in North Dakota, haelping Americans with both heating and cooling costs. LIHEAP is, in addition, running in New Jersey through the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU), issuing $175 in relief over seven months.
The programme, strongly backed by Governor Phil Murphy, is part of a broader state effort to make utility costs more affordable and prevent residents from falling behind during the winter season.
In North Dakota, claimants can get a minimum of $6 in heating help, and a maximum of $1,100. For cooling, the minimum is $1, and the maximum is $1,000. More over, there’s a emergency payment establish at $500 for some applicants. The crisis payment is a last resort emergency fund for households that have resources that are limited.
Application window
For 2025, North Dakota got over $23 million in funding, and last year arranged benefits to over 15,000 households. Payments are sent out between October 1 through May 31, which is the same time when applications are accepted. Applications just for cooling aid are avaiable between June 1 and September 30, so support is usable throughout the calendar year.
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LIHEAP is a one-time lump-sum payment in North Dakota, while in New Jersey it’s sent out per month. The payment is normally sent to a household’s utility company to be applied as credit; it is not money right in an applicant’s pocket.
How to be eligible
To be selected for LIHEAP in North Dakota, a household’s income has to be under 60% of the state’s median rate. For the 2025 to 2026 application season for heating, citizents with a household size of one are subject to an income cap of $40,530. A household of two has a cap of $53,010, a three-person household has a cap of $65,478. For four people, the cap is $77,958 and for five the cap is $90,426. Both homeowners and renters can apply for help from LIHEAP in the state.
Applications can either be done online or mailed through the state’s Health and Human Services website. Or, applicants can apply at their local spot by printing an application and turning it to their local Human Service Zone office.
More help
Apart from LIHEAP in North Dakota, residents can get a voucher for up to $300 to put towards window air conditioners and fans. This is run all along a resident’s local county social services. To qualify for this in specific, the household must adhere to the given income threshold. Crucially, at least one person must have a necessary medical condition. This should be a heat-related illness, and a note is required from a medical professional to prove this.