This summer the Oklahoma Department of Human Services has roughly $22 million to help pay electricity bills for those who qualify, through the LIHEAP program.
It may sound like a lot of money but it goes quickly. Last summer, DHS was working with about the same amount of money, and it was gone in a matter of 3 days. 96,000 people across the state came and qualified for cooling assistance.
Here's what you need to know about qualifying this year:
If you were approved last year, you are automatically pre qualified and won't need to fill out an application.
However, if this is your first year, you will have to come into the office here and apply, you need to bring your electric bill your ID, and documents to verify your income.
As for who qualifies, here’s a breakdown of some of the numbers when it comes to income requirements:
Size of Household Allowable Monthly Net Income:
- 1 $ 998
- 2 $1348
- 3 $1699
- 4 $2049
- 5 $2399
- 6 $2749
- 7 $3099
- 8 $3449
You can get anywhere from a $200 to $250 one-time payment to use towards paying your electric bill.
The DHS centers where you can apply are 3666 N. Peoria, and 444 S. Houston in Tulsa. Both are open 8am-5pm Monday through Friday.
Some other agencies in the Tulsa area are offering help with cooling bills, for more information, call the 2-1-1 help line.
