AMERICANS can get their hands on automatic payments worth up to $1,100 as a crucial program begins to hand out this year’s round of heating assistance checks.
The energy bill credits are intended to lend a helping hand to Americans in need, with the cash set to go out beginning on October 1.
Americans are in line to receive energy credits worth up to $1,100 as the cold weather approaches[/caption]
Fall officially started on Monday, and that means cool weather is on its way.
With a summer of record-breaking energy bills in the rearview mirror, Americans are preparing to open their wallets again for heating bills, which can run you a pretty penny due to rising energy prices and increased demand, among other factors.
Because a significant number of Americans struggle to afford heating bills, the federal government has programs like Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP, in place.
The program, which provides crucial financial aid to millions to help them cover heating and cooling costs, is federally funded via the US Department of Health and Human Services and administered at the state level.
North Dakota, for example, received over $23 million in funding for the 2025 fiscal year to hand out to LIHEAP applicants.
The program administered benefits to over 15,000 households last year to help them stay safe during extreme weather conditions, and more payments worth up to $1,100 are going out this year.
In North Dakota, LIHEAP will distribute heating assistance payments from October 1 through May 31, while checks for cooling, crisis, and weatherization go out year-round.
Residents who are currently approved for the program do not need to reapply and will automatically receive the aid.
HOW MUCH ARE THE PAYMENTS?
The program pays a portion of an applicant’s bill for natural gas, electricity, propane, fuel oil, coal, or wood, among other home costs like weatherization services, furnace or chimney cleaning, emergency assistance, and more.
LIHEAP is typically a one-time, lump-sum payment sent annually to a utility company or fuel dealer to be applied as a credit on a household’s energy bill.
This year, the maximum benefit for heating assistance that North Dakota residents can receive is $1,100, while the minimum is $6.
Those who receive payments to help with cooling costs are capped at $1,000 and can receive a minimum of $1.
The LIHEAP maximum for assistance in a crisis is $500.
ARE YOU ELIGIBLE?
Whether or not North Dakota residents are eligible for financial assistance is primarily based on their household’s income and size to ensure that help is given to those most in need.
By the numbers: North Dakota’s LIHEAP
FY 2025 Benefit
Heating: $6 minimum, $1,100 maximum
Cooling: $1 minimum, $1,000 maximum
Crisis: $500 maximum
Households Served in FY 2024
Heating: 14,165
Cooling: 811
Crisis: 330
Weatherization: 191
Program Dates
Heating: October 1 – May 31
Cooling, Crisis, and Weatherization: Year-round
Source: LIHEAP
A household’s income must be at or below 60% of the state’s median income and within certain limits.
For example, for the 2025 to 2026 heating season, LIHEAP applicants with a household size of one are subject to an income cap of $40,530.
A household of two must make no more than $53,010, while a three-person household is required to make $65,478 or less.
Homes with four individuals are capped at $77,958 and five-person households are expected to make $90,426 or under.
Both homeowner and renter households are eligible to receive a payment from LIHEAP.
North Dakota residents can submit applications for LIHEAP online or by mail through the state’s Health and Human Services website.
They can also apply locally by printing an application and returning it in person at their local Human Service Zone office.
Aside from payments via LIHEAP, a federally run low-income energy program, North Dakota residents can score a voucher for up to $300 from their local county social services office to purchase a window air conditioner and fans.
Emergency charitable assistance is also available to low-income residents, although these last resort emergency funds have limited resources and times of operation.
If you’re looking to cut your energy costs as winter approaches, check out the $3 item from Walmart that’s guaranteed to slash your bills by $660.
Plus, read up on how Americans are being offered $1,500 checks for heating bills with only three simple requirements.
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