Community Action Marin is the local administrator of the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, commonly known as LIHEAP, which is a federally-funded program. It was created with the purpose of assisting low-income households that are struggling to pay their electrical bills. Individuals must apply for the program by filling out a form and provide all the supporting documentation. The amount of benefit received depends on household size, income, and program priorities.  

Required Documentation:

• Recent copies of utility bill. (Must include all pages and show 30 billing days)
• Final Utility Termination Notice (if a 14 day, 48 hour, or shutoff notice was received from energy company then it should be included with utility bill)
• Recent pay stub’s or other proof of income that shows current monthly gross income. (This must account for 30 consecutive days of income)
• Documentation showing other type of income such as Social Security, Cal Fresh, Unemployment Insurance, Pension Funds, disability, etc. (Examples: Notice of Action, Passport to Services, most recent bank statement showing direct deposit, copy of current check, dated annual benefit letter, payee letter showing income amount, Form 4926, Form 2458, HUD statement with a SS amount.)
• Other income sources: Self-employment, Child Support, odd jobs requirements (current copy of ledger/journal, or a signed self-employment statement showing monthly gross income).
• For households with zero income: a self-declaration of zero income attestation form will be requested. (Please speak to an intake specialist to request a copy of this form.)

Additional Programs:

• Emergency Family Assistance (1-time assistance with rent/mortgage payments, rental deposits and, in limited cases, emergency car repairs, durable medical equipment or other essential needs)
• CalFresh Assistance (federally known as the Supplemental Assistance Nutrition Program or SNAP, provides a monthly benefit for purchasing food)
• CARE Homeless Outreach (offers vital support and assistance to unhoused people throughout Marin County)

Contact the office for further details.

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance program is called LIHEAP. They assist low income people and families with their heating and cooling bills. This program is therefore, a year long program that is available 12 months a year. To qualify for the LIHEAP assistance, you need to qualify. We provide the current Federal Poverty Rates nationwide below.

You are automatically qualified for LIHEAP assistance if you participate in the SNAP food stamps program, TANF Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or the SSI program through Social Security.

Mission Statement

We make it possible for people to achieve wellbeing by providing the education, mental health, and vital services they need. Together, we break down the barriers that get in the way of fair and lasting change in service to better outcomes for all.”*

*From the Community Action Marin website

Federal Poverty Guidelines for 2024

Persons In Family	Earnings (100% Fed Poverty Guideline)
1	$15,060
2	$20,440
3	$25,820
4	$31,200
5	$36,580
6	$41,960
7	$47,340
8	$52,720

*Alaska and Hawaii have different rates for HUD federal poverty guidelines.
These numbers above represent 100% of the Federal Poverty Rate. In order to get legal aid from some offices, they use a sliding fee scale. When they use a sliding fee scale, the 100% rate can be different than 100%. In those cases, using for example a 200% federal poverty level, you will only need double the 100% number listed above to 200%.

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