Heating assistance is available to keep North Dakotans warm throughout the winter

In recognition of National Energy Assistance Day on Feb. 2, North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) and the North Dakota Department of Commerce are encouraging North Dakotans who need help keeping their homes warm to apply for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

Over the last year, LIHEAP helped an average of 37,000 North Dakotans by providing $15.3 million in home energy assistance, with an average monthly household benefit of $161. During the heating season alone, the program assists more than 36,500 people a month.

Through LIHEAP, North Dakotans can receive assistance to help pay for energy costs. The program also provides weatherization services, which include home insulation and weather stripping around doors and windows, furnace cleaning, repair or replacement, and chimney inspection and cleaning. Both homeowners and renters can apply for LIHEAP.

Beginning in 2025, HHS moved to a year-round LIHEAP application process for regular benefits. Before this change, households could only apply during set time periods and were required to submit a new application each year.

"The year-round application helps prevent utility disconnections, reduces the need for emergency services and supports household health, employment continuity and the overall well-being of families," HHS Economic Assistance LIHEAP Administrator Joshua Haugen said.

Emergency assistance is also available year-round to help with unexpected financial hardships, providing support for furnace replacements, preventing shutoffs and disconnects, and helping households cover the costs of temporary heating or cooling devices. Households should not wait for an emergency to apply for LIHEAP.

To support continued awareness and access to energy-related resources, Commerce's Office of Community Development and Rural Prosperity will host Community Services Virtual Office Hours on March 10 at 1 p.m. CT. This free, one-hour session will focus on weatherization, LIHEAP and energy assistance resources, giving partners and community members the opportunity to connect directly with Commerce staff, ask questions and learn more about programs that help reduce energy costs and improve home energy efficiency. Learn more and register at officehoursweatherization.eventbrite.com.

Individuals can apply for LIHEAP and other assistance online at hhs.nd.gov/applyforhelp, locally at a human service zone office or by mail.

Individuals who need help applying for LIHEAP should contact Community Options. As a partner agency of HHS, Community Options provides free application assistance, which includes help collecting needed documents, and filling out and submitting the application. To request LIHEAP application help, contact Community Options toll-free at (800) 823-2417, 711 (TTY).