The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) will open the Cooling Program on April 1. This federally funded program assists low-income, elderly and medically homebound Georgians with costs associated with cooling their homes.
Beginning Thursday, residents aged 65 and older or those who are medically homebound can apply for assistance through LIHEAP. All other eligible residents may apply for assistance beginning May 1. Funds are administered through local Community Action Agencies (CAAs) on a first-come, first-served basis until all funds are exhausted. Locally, that is done through North Georgia Community Action (706-692-5623) or http://ngcainc.com.
To qualify, a family’s annual income must be less than or equal to 60% of the median income for a Georgia family. For a household of one, the income threshold is $25,025; the income threshold for a household of five is $55,825.