Eligible Maine residents can begin to apply for assistance with their heating bills for the 2023-24 heating season in just 13 days.

Applications for Maine's Home Energy Assistance Program open on July 17 for fiscal 2024.

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The program offers assistance with heating costs, including fuel and emergency fuel delivery, according to the Maine State Housing Authority. The state says households seeking help with their energy costs should apply as early as possible.

For the 2023-24 season, the maximum monthly gross income to qualify for the benefits is $2,723 for a single-person household and $6,074 for a household of five people.

For fiscal 2022, the maximum benefit was $2,116, while the minimum benefit for the program was $152, per the Department of Health and Human Services.

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Heating assistance is available in all 50 states, while some states also provide cooling assistance during warmer months. Cooling assistance through LIHEAP is available in 28 states and Washington, D.C., with each jurisdiction offering different amounts of money for assistance to help low-income citizens stay cool during warm weather. Maine does not offer cooling assistance.

LIHEAP payments for cooling assistance can be used to purchase, install, or repair air conditioning units, along with heat pumps. In addition to those uses, the payments from the government can be used to pay for electric bills or security deposits for operating cooling equipment, among other eligible expenditures.