Who We Are

Welcome to the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Clearinghouse Web site, an Internet information service for state, tribal and local LIHEAP providers, and others interested in low-income energy issues.  This site will be a supplement to the LIHEAP-related information the LIHEAP Clearinghouse currently provides through its phone line (406-494-8662) and newsletter.

Since 1988, the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) has operated the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Clearinghouse through a training and technical assistance contract from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration for Children and Families, Office of Community Services, Division of Energy Assistance.

The Clearinghouse collects, develops, organizes and disseminates information on low-income energy issues to:

    * state, tribal, and territorial LIHEAP grantees;
    * community action agencies and local government offices (subgrantees);
    * low-income energy service organizations;
    * fuel funds;
    * utilities and utility regulatory commissions.

Through regular contact with the above parties, the Clearinghouse maintains and updates a nationwide information-sharing network.

The Clearinghouse provides information that helps low-income energy providers and low-income energy issue groups accomplish any or all of the following:

    * improve the management and delivery of low-income energy services;
    * target benefits to those with the highest energy burdens or the most need;
    * initiate innovative administrative and programmatic improvements;
    * investigate and obtain sources of supplemental, nonfederal funding;
    * reduce energy consumption by program recipients;
    * foster energy self-sufficiency and reduce program dependency among recipients; and
    * maximize cooperative and coordinated efforts among utilities, HHS, grantees and organizations serving low-income persons.

Our overall goal is to expand and enhance information exchange on low-income energy issues with the national low-income energy network.  We will strive to make this service as timely and informative as possible, but we need your input.  We encourage you to contact us at with comments, suggestions, and questions.  Please email Kay Joslin or Sherry Vogel or telephone (406) 494-8662.

Information you won't find here: LIHEAP grantee allocations, LIHEAP policy issues, information memoranda and action transmittals to grantees on program rules, regulation, and policy. This information is provided at the web site of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Community Services, Division of Energy Assistance.

Finally, this site does NOT provide information on where or how to receive LIHEAP benefits. For that information, go to your state or tribal web site. If your state or tribe does not have a web site, email or call your state or tribal LIHEAP director, whom you'll find listed in the State or Tribal Directories.

Energy Team Program


The Energy Team program provides

    * FREE energy-saving home improvements
    * Energy education
    * limited appliance repair/replacement

To qualified homeowners and renters.


Free appliances/improvements include

   * Refrigerators
    * Low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators
    * Ceiling insulation
   * Caulking and weather-stripping
    * Energy-saving light bulbs
    * Porch light fixtures
(Santa GOT These!)

All work is completed by licensed contractors.

Ways to Qualify

To qualify, you must meet all of the following qualifications

    * Be an SDG&E customer
    * Meet the income guidelines shown below
    * Or are currently receiving benefits from any of the following public assistance programs

          o WIC
          o LIHEAP
          o Food Stamps
          o Medi-Cal
          o Healthy Families A and B
          o TANF

Contact The Energy Team

    * 1-866-597-0597

Energy Team Income Guidelines

Household Members / Yearly Income

1 or 2  $30,500

3 $35,800

4 $43,200

5 $50,600

6 $58,000

For each additional Add $7,400


The income guidelines above for the Energy Team are established annually by the California Public Utilities Commission. In order to qualify, you may be asked to verify your income.

For San Diego residents: click here http://www.ucan.org/energy/electricity/home_energy_assistance_program_heap for more information

State Low-Income Energy Profiles

The profiles present a capsule view of each state's key LIHEAP characteristics, as well as details of its non-federal low-income energy programs (state- and utility-funded, and charitable).