How To Lower Your Energy Bills!
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How To Lower Your Energy Bills!
According to CNBC, CPI recently released some data that detailed that in the past year, the energy index soared 34.6%. In May alone, the energy index jumped 3.9%, natural gas rose 8% and the electricity index increased 1.3%.
Americans are struggling to make ends meet in today’s higher cost-of-living environment, but one in five households reported they were unable to either pay their utility bill in full or at all at least one month in the last year in a recent U.S. Census Household Pulse Survey.
There are a few different resources that people can use in order to help lower their energy bills.
- Reach out to your local NEADA contact for information on how to qualify
- Contact your local LIHEAP (Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program) office for assistance
- Call your utility company directly to see if you can set up a payment plan or if there are any forgiveness programs available
He adds that some states like Wisconsin are implementing programs to forgive utility debt.
How to get assistance from Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federally funded program that helps low-income households pay their home heating and cooling bills. It operates in every state and the District of Columbia, as well as within most tribal reservations and U.S. territories. If you need help paying a heating or cooling bill, find the contact information for your local Low-Income Energy Office.
You can use the NEADA site map to find your state’s LIHEAP contact information. By contacting your state’s LIHEAP office you can find information about any specific assistance your state offers.
State Snapshots
For further assistance, the LIHEAP Clearinghouse includes information about utility assistance programs, links to location-specific online application forms, the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP), and other resources to help low-income households access energy assistance. These resources can be found in the State Snapshots.
National Energy Assistance Referral (NEAR)
If you need help finding your local Low-Income Energy Office call the National Energy Assistance Referral (NEAR) hotline toll-free at 1-866-674-6327. You can also email NEAR at energyassistance@ncat.org.
NEAR is a free service for people who want information on where to apply for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which may pay a portion of the energy bills for low-income households. Please include your city, county, and state in your email message.
Weatherize Your Home to Reduce Future Energy Bills
Your local Low Income Energy Program office can help you improve the energy efficiency of your home through the Weatherization Assistance Program. The U.S. Department of Energy provides additional information about how to apply for weatherization assistance to reduce energy bills in the future.
For more ideas and tips on how to weatherize your home visit https://www.ncat.org/residential-efficiency-measures/
The Emergency Rental Assistance Program is Also Available to Help with Rent & Energy Bills Your local Emergency Rental Assistance Program may also be able to help renters pay for rent and/or utilities. If you’re looking for additional support with rental and utility payments, visit this page to learn more.
