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Low-Income Arizonans To Get Federal Aid

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The low-income households in Arizona can get federal aid from the Department of Health and Human Services to make their homes energy efficient.

December 6, 2023
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Maricopa County reported the most heat-related deaths this summer around 500 fatalities. One week recorded 150 heat-related deaths. The necessity for proactive measures is increasingly becoming evident as Arizona’s temperatures have reached high year after year.

White House realized the urgent need for energy assistance in these extreme conditions and announced that the Department of Health and Human Services would give $3.7 Billion in a new Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

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Besides this, Ruben Gallego also announced that nine Arizona tribes were awarded $2.5 Million in funds for LIHEAP. Arizona has also been awarded $31 Million.

These funds will enable Arizona families to pay their heating costs this winter and cooling bills this summer. LIHEAP can also be used to make homes more energy-efficient during extreme weather conditions.

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The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides funding to states, tribes, and territories for heating, cooling, and energy-related home repairs. To streamline eligibility determination, a user-friendly tool has been introduced, allowing households to easily check if they qualify for LIHEAP assistance. The tool requires basic information like household size, monthly income, and state of residence. Eligible households can receive up to $1,200 annually for regular energy costs and an additional $1,000 in case of an energy crisis.

The research indicates that 45% of deaths were reported in houses having non-functioning air conditioning or no air conditioner at all. Besides this, people aged between 50 and 64 accounted for 30% of the total deaths in Maricopa County.

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LIHEAP funding is used to prepare the homes for the increased energy costs. Qualifying individuals and families can seek assistance through the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) besides LIHEAP. The repairs and adjustments will lower the home energy bills and make it more affordable for families.

Compared to previous times, it is now more important than ever that Arizonans can access more affordable and economical energy assistance as summers continue to get hotter. It is crucial to increase awareness about programs like LIHEAP or WAP.

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The content provided in this article draws inspiration and includes quotes from various reputable sources, including news articles, government data, and interviews. Affordable Housing 411 strives to ensure accuracy and credibility, but the information presented may be based on some external sources. We encourage readers to refer to the referenced materials for more in-depth insights and verification.

Somo Linda. “Federal aid for low-income Arizonans will save lives”. AZ Mirror, December 6, 2023,
Federal aid for low-income Arizonans will save lives (azmirror.com)

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Last Updated: September 20, 2021