State DHS Taking Applications for Heating Program

The Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS) will begin taking applications online at www.okdhslive.org Tuesday, Dec. 22, for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program’s (LIHEAP) winter heating program. 

If eligible, households will be authorized for a one-time payment for the main energy source that heats their home. 

All LIHEAP payments will be wired once per week by the State Department of Treasury Office. Recipients will be sent an electronic explanation of payment either through the drop site if they previously established one with IT or via email. 

Payments made on behalf of eligible households must be applied to the primary source of heating. Authorized LIHEAP payments may not be applied toward water, sewer, trash, cable or other services by federal regulation because it is intended to assist eligible households with their main heating energy source. All LIHEAP payments must be credited to the household’s utility account within 60 days once payment is received. 

Receiving both state and tribal LIHEAP assistance is prohibited by federal regulation. 

By federal regulation, all unspent/unapplied LIHEAP credit must be returned to the state of Oklahoma within 60 days so it can be re-allocated for assistance to other low-income Oklahomans. If there is any refund needed, please issue a check to “State of Oklahoma – DHS/LIHEAP” as payee, along with a brief memo of “DHS Case #” for tracking purposes), plus the amount you are sending back and mail to: State of Oklahoma – DHS/LIHEAP, PO Box 248893, Oklahoma City OK 73124. 

Laura Brown, KXMX Staff Writer

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