Heating and Cooling Assistance is now open.

❄️ Heating Assistance (Winter 2025–26)

• Senior & medically homebound households (65+ or with qualifying medical conditions):
  Applications opened December 1 or 2, 2024, depending on the local agency (Georgia Department of Human Services).
  (Example: DHS press release states Dec 2, 2024 for seniors/homebound) (Georgia Department of Human Services).
• All other eligible Georgia households:
  Appointments could be scheduled starting January 2, 2025 (Georgia Department of Human Services).
• Funding: Administered through Georgia Community Action Agencies (CAAs).
  First-come, first-served until funds run out (Georgia Department of Human Services).

☀️ Cooling Assistance (Summer 2025)

• Early access for seniors & homebound (65+):
  Opened April 1, 2025 .
• General population:
  Applications accepted starting May 1, 2025 .
• Funding: Similarly, administered via local CAAs on a first-come, first-served basis (Georgia Department of Human Services).

📋 Who Qualifies & How to Apply

Eligibility Criteria:

1. Income: At or below 60% of Georgia’s State Median Income (SMI).
   • Example thresholds:
     • $33,038 for 1-person household
     • $73,700 for 5-person household (cafi-ga.org, Georgia Department of Human Services)
2. Responsibility for paying primary heating/cooling bills (Georgia DHS Family Services).
3. Citizenship status: U.S. citizens or legally admitted aliens (Georgia DHS Family Services).

Required Documentation:

• Recent energy (heating or cooling) bill
• SSNs for all household members
• Proof of citizenship
• Proof of income (last 30 days) and benefit statements if applicable (Georgia Department of Human Services).

Applying:

• Contact your local Community Action Agency. Find your CAA at georgiacaa.org (Georgia Department of Human Services).
• Schedule an appointment (some offices offer phone/online scheduler).
  • Example: Southwest Georgia CAA booked through phone or online starting Jan 21, 2025 .
  • Carroll, Coweta, Meriwether counties scheduled their summer 2025 cooling appointments starting July 11, 2025 at 10 AM (cafi-ga.org).

💵 How Much Assistance You Can Get

• Direct payments made to your energy supplier on your behalf (cafi-ga.org).
• Typical benefit ranges from $310 to $350, depending on household situation (Georgia DHS Family Services).
• Additional crisis payments may be available if your household is facing a life-threatening heating or cooling emergency (Georgia DHS Family Services).

Why Apply Early

1. Limited funds: Operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Funds may run out quickly .
2. Faster benefit delivery: After approval, it can take several weeks for payments to post .
3. Extra programs: Many CAAs also offer weatherization support—insulation, sealing, LED lights, etc.—to reduce long-term energy expenses .

🔎 Key Dates at a Glance

🧭 Next Steps for Applicants

1. Check eligibility: Use income guidelines above.
2. Locate your CAA: Find the agency that serves your county via the Georgia CAA directory .
3. Gather your documents.
4. Schedule your appointment ASAP, especially during early seasonal windows.
5. Apply in person or by phone/online as allowed.
6. Follow up after application—benefits often take 3–6 weeks to show.

✅ Final Thoughts

Liheap provides critical support for low-income Georgians facing energy cost burdens, with seasonal assistance windows for both heating and cooling needs. With early application and preparation, you can maximize your chance of receiving help and possibly benefit from long-term weatherization services. Call your CAA today or visit georgiacaa.org to get started.