The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federally funded program administered by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA). LIHEAP is funded through a grant from the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services. ADECA contracts with Community Action Agencies and local nonprofit agencies to deliver LIHEAP to low-income households throughout the state.

The objectives of LIHEAP are to help low-income families meet the costs of home energy, defined as heating and cooling of residences, and to increase their energy self-sufficiency and reduce their vulnerability resulting from energy needs. The target population is low-income households, especially those with the lowest incomes and the highest home energy costs or needs in relation to income, taking into account family size. Additional targets are low-income households with members who are especially vulnerable, including the elderly, persons with disabilities, and young children. In order to receive assistance, the applicant’s household income must not exceed 150% of the federally established poverty level.