Provides financial assistance to low-income households.

Services:
Empower Program
Energy Assistance Program
Food Pantry
Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8)
IERA Program
Senior Community Service Employment Program
Thrift Store
Weatherization
Women, Infants & Children (WIC)

Documentation required for EAP:
 Complete AND sign Application Packet
 Copy of  State issued Driver’s License or photo ID
 Social Security cards
 Proof of Veteran Status
 Proof of Disability
 Documentation of income for the last (3) complete consecutive months
 Landlord Affidavit is required for renters with utilities included in their rent
 Proof of Home Ownership should be provided if it applies.
 CURRENT heating and energy bills at the residence of application.
 Energy Education

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.

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%.

User questions & answers

Have you used the Community and Family Services - Bluffton LIHEAP service before? If so, please help our website users by answer these questions below.