• LIHEAP Referrals
• State Programs
  • Plans/Manuals/PIAs
  • Administration
  • LIHEAP components
  • Client eligibility
  • Benefits
  • Self-sufficiency
  • Leveraging
• Tribal LIHEAP
  • Manual
  • Funding
  • Agreements
  • Program Integrity
  • Benefits/Applications
  • Leveraging
  • REACH
• LIHEAP Funding
• Public Benefits
  • State summaries
  • Studies/reports
• Disconnect Policies
• State Supplements
  • Recent year
  • Previous years
• LIHEAP Directors
  • States/websites
  • Tribal
  • Insular areas
• Publications
  • REACH
  • Leveraging
  • Benefits/eligibility
  • Other LIHEAP
• Related Links
  • Community action
    • State/regional
    • Local
  • Low income/energy
  • Federal government

National Center for Appropriate Technology
3040 Continental Drive
Butte, MT 59702
(406) 494-8662
(406) 494-2905 fax www.ncat.org

State Cooling Programs

AL | AZ | AR | CA | DE | DC | FL | GA | HI | IL | IN | KS | LA | MS | MO | NE
NV | NJ | NM | NY | NC | ND | OH | OK | SC | TN | TX | UT | VA | WI

Alabama
Program Dates	June 1 - September 30
Eligibility / Priority	150% of federal poverty level. Eligibility priority given to seniors, disabled and young children.
Application / Intake	Early application and special times for the elderly vary by administering agency. Provide intake service through home visits or by telephone for elderly and disabled.
Benefits (2011)	$400 maximum
Other	Also have crisis cooling program and medical requirements are waived for the elderly.
Arizona
Program Dates	Year-round
Eligibility / Priority	60% of state median income - seniors, disabled and children under 6 are given additional points for eligibility.
Application / Intake	Applications taken at CAAs; no early applications.
Benefits (2012)	$75 minimum, $640 maximum
Arkansas
Program Dates	Part of year-round program
Eligibility / Priority	150% of federal poverty level
Application / Intake	Applications taken at CAAs
Benefits (2012)	$61 minimum, $153 average, $309 maximum; $700 maximum if crisis is involved
Other	Air conditioners may be available, if emergency funds are released, to households with one or more household members with a medical condition which makes them vulnerable to health hazards from high temperatures.
California
Program Dates	Year-round. LIHEAP operates on a calendar year and doesn't distinguish between heating and cooling. Services that meet heating and cooling needs are combined and available throughout the year.
Eligibility / Priority	60% of state median income. Each LIHEAP local service provider develops a prioritization of services plan and may target households by energy burden, vulnerable populations, etc. Most plans provide additional consideration to seniors.
Application / Intake	Provide intake service through home visits or by telephone for elderly and disabled.
Benefits (2012)	$158 minimum, $538 maximum
Other	LIHEAP service providers conduct direct marketing and outreach activities to reach senior populations, including on-site intake with senior housing complexes; targeted mailings to seniors; and coordination with local community agencies serving the senior population.
Delaware
Program Dates	June 1 - August 31
Eligibility / Priority	200% of federal poverty level / senior or disabled.
Application / Intake	Apply directly to state service centers.
Benefits (2011)	Help will include utility bill payment assistance (up to $300) and, in some cases, window unit air conditioners.
Other	If no senior or disabled household members, may be eligible with a doctor's note stating that air conditioning is medically beneficial to a household member.
District of Columbia
Program Dates	Year-round
Eligibility / Priority	60% of state median income
Application / Intake	Apply at the DC Energy Office
Benefits (2011)	One-time benefit can be used for cooling or heating, $49 minimum, $1,300 maximum. An additional crisis benefit may be available with a disconnect notice.
Florida
Program Dates	April 1 - September 30
Eligibility / Priority	150% of federal poverty level. Senior priority is a local agency decision.
Application / Intake	Applications are accepted typically anytime funds are available, year round, but this is a local decision. Some agencies have early applications, first of the month applications, or priority appointment times.
Benefits (2012)	Client can receive 1 crisis cooling benefit per year up to $600.
Other	Crisis funds may be available for replacements or repairs to cooling equipment or to restore power not covered by insurance or FEMA funds.
Georgia
Program Dates	June - August when funds are available, Nov - May part of crisis
Eligibility / Priority	60% of state median income.
Benefits (2011)	$350 maximum
Hawaii
Program Dates	June 1 - June 30
Eligibility / Priority	150% of federal poverty level.
Application / Intake	Home visits to help senior citizens and disabled with their applications.
Benefits (2011)	$553 average, $882 maximum
Illinois
Program Dates	July 11 - July 27
Eligibility / Priority	150% of federal poverty level. Targeted to at-risk households that include people older than 60, disabled, children 4 years or younger and those with a doctor's statement regarding a medical condition.
Benefits (2012)	$250 maximum
Other	120 cooling centers are available statewide, 800-843-6154
Indiana
Program Dates	June 1 - August 17
Eligibility / Priority	150% of federal poverty level. A household may also be eligible for an air conditioning unit if it is medically necessary.
Application / Intake	Households that received the prior winter heating benefits are considered eligible for Summer Cooling Assistance based on the previously approved application. A further eligibility determination is not necessary. A household that did not receive heating benefits the prior winter must be determined eligible under the guidelines as a new applicant. Applications accepted on June 1; no early applications.
Benefits (2012)	$65 payment to electric bill and $85 one-time payment in August. Income eligible households with at least one senior, or disabled member, or a child under 6 with a verified medical requirement may receive up to $275 for an air conditioner.
Kansas
Program Dates	No separate cooling program. The LIEAP annual program operates January through March.
Eligibility / Priority	130% of federal poverty level
Application / Intake	Provide intake service through home visits or by telephone for elderly and disabled.
Benefits (2011)	$263 average. Clients can split one-time heating benefit between heating and electric vendors and apply part to summer bill.
Louisiana
Program Dates	April 1 - September 30
Eligibility / Priority	60% of state median income. Eligibility priority for households with elderly, disabled, or young children.
Application / Intake	Provide intake service through home visits or by telephone for elderly and disabled.
Benefits (2011)	$150 minimum, $600 maximum. Households with a member 60 years or older, disabled or 5 years or younger may receive an additional $100.
Other	Summer Emergency Program - the Assistant Secretary may declare an emergency and purchase fans for LIHEAP- eligible households with a senior, disabled or young child.
Mississippi
Program Dates	May 1 - September 30
Eligibility / Priority	60% of state median income. Eligibility priority is given to seniors.
Application / Intake	Recertification forms are mailed to seniors and disabled to facilitate the application process.
Benefits	The level of cash amount awarded to eligible households depends on the applicant's bill amount, the result of case management analysis and degree of participation on the established case plan.
Other	Fans, air conditioners, cooling systems and other cooling, energy-related services may be provided depending on needs, case management result and client complying fully with the established case plan.
Missouri
Program Dates	June 1 - September 30
Eligibility / Priority	135% of federal poverty level, less than $3,000 in assets. Applicants must have received a disconnect notice or their service must already be terminated.
Benefits (2012)	$300 maximum applied to electric bill; summer crisis
Other	Program funds can be used towards the purchase of an air conditioner for households with a member 65 years or older or documented medical condition.
Nebraska
Program Dates	June 1 - August 31. A year-round crisis program can help with a cooling payment either before or after the program dates.
Eligibility / Priority	116% of federal poverty level. A medical need for cooling must be documented. Any household that is identified with a member age 70 or older will appear on the automatic payment listing. These payments will be processed with the first cooling payment that will be created June 1.
Application / Intake	Applications can be accepted at any time, but cannot be processed prior to June 1.
Benefits (2012)	$81 minimum, $262 maximum for electricity
Other	Households that have a member age 70 or older are also eligible for an air conditioner if one has not been purchased for that household in the past 5 years.
Nevada
Program Dates	Year-round
Eligibility / Priority	110% of federal poverty level.
Application / Intake	Prior year clients who are senior, disabled or SSI or TANF recipients receive notice first and have the opportunity to apply first for new programs.
Benefits (2011)	$180 minimum; $1,705 maximum
Other	Any eligible household, statewide, may request to have their benefit a) distributed entirely to their heating provider, or b) distributed entirely to their electric (cooling) provider, or c) split so half goes to their heating provider and half goes to their cooling provider.
New Jersey
Program Dates	November 1 - May 28
Eligibility / Priority	200% of federal poverty level. Eligibility priority given to seniors. Must have evidence of health endangerment signed by a licensed medical practitioner to receive cooling benefit.
Application / Intake	Apply for heating and cooling at the same time with the same application. Households with a senior or disabled member may apply by mail. Provide intake service through home visits for the physically infirm.
Benefits (2012)	Flat benefit of $160 plus $100 supplement where there is medical evidence that the health of at least 1 household member is seriously endangered.
New Mexico
Program Dates	No formal cooling program, once-a-year benefit can be used for cooling.
Eligibility / Priority	150% of federal poverty level
Application / Intake	Early application period in September. No applications are processed or companies contacted until October 1. No special component for seniors.
Benefits (2012)	$32 minimum, $224 maximum
Other	May be eligible for cooling crisis if household: received a shutoff notice; has at least one household member who is 60 years or older, disabled or child under 5; and has paid utility bill 2 out of the 3 past months.
New York
Eligibility / Priority	60% state median income and household must have at least one resident diagnosed with a medical condition aggravated by extreme heat, and have no working air conditioners.
Application/ Intake	Those who want to see if they qualify can visit www.mybenefits.ny.gov. Call the NYS HEAP Hotline at 1-800-342-3009 for more information.
Benefits (2012)	Air conditioning unit
North Carolina
Program Dates	Cooling benefits are part of year-round crisis program.
Eligibility / Priority	130% of federal poverty level
Application / Intake	County Department of Social Services
Benefits (2012)	$600 maximum
North Dakota
Program Dates	July 13 - until funds exhausted
Eligibility / Priority	Income eligible person with documented medical condition
Application / Intake	County Department of Social Services
Benefits (2012)	Benefits will cover the costs of installing and repairing air conditioning units and fans.
Ohio
Program Dates	June 1 - August 31
Eligibility / Priority	200% of federal poverty level, senior, documented medical condition or disconnect notice
Application / Intake	Local community action agencies
Benefits (2012)	Cooling crisis: $250 max for utility bill.
Other	Persons 59 years of age or younger must have a doctor's notice stating that a medical need exists for cooling assistance to receive a one-time payment toward an electric bill and/or an AC and/or a fan. Persons 60 years or older do not need a doctor's notice to receive bill assistance and/or an AC and/or a fan.
Oklahoma
Program Dates	July 9 - funds are exhausted
Eligibility / Priority	110% of federal poverty level
Application / Intake	County Human Services Centers
Benefits (2012)	$250 maximum
South Carolina
Program Dates	May 1 - September 30
Eligibility / Priority	150% of federal poverty level. Eligibility priority given to households with a senior or disabled member or child under 5 years.
Application / Intake	Early application for seniors and disabled. Provide intake service through home visits or by telephone for the physically infirm (i.e. elderly or handicapped).
Benefits (2012)	$225 minimum, $500 maximum
Other	Crisis cooling: Air conditioners may be installed in households (particularly vulnerable households) where needed.
Tennessee
Program Dates	Year-round
Eligibility / Priority	150% of federal poverty level. Medical statement for need is required, unless household has an elderly, disabled or infant (under 12 months) member. Priority in assistance is based on a 24 point system, households with elderly, disabled or infant receive 6 points.
Application / Intake	Provide intake service through home visits or by telephone for elderly and disabled.
Benefits (2012)	$300 minimum, $600 maximum
Other	Air conditioners and fans are provided to eligible households that did not receive them in the past. Eligible households prohibited from receiving ACs or fans will receive a payment for electric accounts.
Texas
Program Dates	March 1 - November 30
Eligibility / Priority	125% of federal poverty level. Priority shall be given to eligible households: 1) containing one or more persons age 60 or above, an individual with disability, or children under the age of six (Priority is demonstrated via special documented outreach efforts to these populations); 2) with high energy cost burden; and 3) that have been on the weatherization waiting list for two years or more and with the highest energy burdens.
Application / Intake	Elderly and Disabled Assistance Component: assistance targeted to households unable to achieve full energy self-sufficiency through other means. Provide referrals to medical and nutrition programs.
Benefits (2012)	$1,200 maximum
Other	Distribution of funds to subgrantees: elderly are given priority by giving greater weight to this population in allocation formula. CEAP clients who receive co-pay, who are senior or disabled, or receive crisis assistance during the year may be eligible for replacement or repair of cooling system.
Utah
Program Dates	Year-round
Eligibility / Priority	150% of federal poverty level.
Application / Intake	Year-round program in southern Utah where there is a need for summer cooling. In these counties households may apply for HEAT energy assistance once during the Federal Fiscal Year and this may occur during the summer.
Benefits (2012)	$300 average. Households with young children, disabled, and/or elderly get an additional amount.
Virginia
Program Dates	June 15 - August 15
Eligibility / Priority	130% of federal poverty level. Household must have one member 60 years or over, disabled or child under 6.
Application / Intake	Provide intake services through home visits or telephone for physically infirm seniors and disabled. Early application period for the elderly and disabled. Cooling is administered through local non-profits in coordination with other social service organizations such as area agencies on aging. Applications are available at local agencies and the state website.
Benefits (2012)	Benefits up to $475 can be used to purchase or replace and install an air conditioner; repair a central air conditioning unit or heat pump; pay an electric utility security deposit or pay an electric bill to operate the cooling equipment.
Wisconsin
Program Dates	Part of year-round crisis
Eligibility / Priority	60% State Median Income, cooling must be medically necessary. No household will be eligible for crisis cooling assistance without a declaration by a local or state public health agency of a heat emergency and authorization is given by the Department of Administration.
Application / Intake	Applications for crisis cooling are taken at county welfare offices, community action agencies and charitable organizations.
Benefits (2011)	$1,200 maximum, crisis cooling emergency services may include room air conditioner repair/purchase, fans, education on energy conservation measures, or budget counseling.