Families sign up for federal aid to help pay electric bill during hot summer

TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) - Families who can’t afford to stay cool in this summer weather have some relief coming their way. The Oklahoma Department of Human Services is accepting applications to help them beat the heat at home.

The agency has $18 million available in federal funds for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). This is to help limit the risk of heat-related health problems if families can't afford to pay energy bills to cool down.

“People tend not to run their electric to cool down their home because they’re afraid of a large utility bill,” said Pamela Nold, a social services specialist for DHS.

Eligibility for the program is based on household income and assets. The money will be spread out across the state and is available on a first come first serve basis.

“So if they come here and apply then that assistance will give them the ability not to worry about having such a large utility bill and how are they going to make that payment,” said Nold.

This is the first time DHS has offered applications online. Nold said she noticed a dramatic drop in the numbers of people at the Tulsa agency enrolling in person, Tuesday. She believes more applicants are using the digital option.

“It’s a lot easier from the convenience of your home, from the library, from any of the other community agencies that are partners with us that have the computer access,” said Nold.

Michaelyn Brown said he and some others were having problems applying. He explained he was going back and forth from the DHS and libraries to enroll online per the direction of agency staffers.

“When you’re trying to take care of some business and then you got the little bitty piece of red tape that’s holding you up and it’s 100 degrees outside, it’s frustrating,” said Brown.

Nold said online enrollment has actually helped the process. She said anyone running into a kink in registration should still take advantage of the funds available while it lasts. The money is open to anyone eligible by showing I.D., proof of income and proper DHS paperwork.