The federally funded Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program helps households that need assistance to pay the cost of home energy. Catholic Charities has administered this program for over 25 years. Homeowners and renters, at 200% of federal poverty guidelines, can apply. All heating and cooling sources, including electricity, gas, oil, kerosene, wood, propane, natural gas,and coal are eligible. Although the program does not pay for all heating costs, it does provide an important financial supplement. Help for home cooling is provided during the summer months, if funding is available. Heating assistance applications are processed from October 1 to March 31. Funds from the federal government do not usually arrive until late December, when energy benefits become available.

Requires an appointment and the following: proof of income for all adults in the household, Social Security cards for all individuals in the household, proof of address (lease or mortgage statement), electric or gas bill, proof of energy vendor.