The North Dakota State Department of Human Services offers a complete set of low income home energy assistance options for households. In addition to coordinating allocation of federal grants and stimulus funds, the state operates a variety of locally administered programs based upon income need of families. Applications are coordinated by local County Social Services Offers which determine an individual’s eligibility for the program.
The application season for the grant programs run from October through May of each year and are allocated on a need-based formula. Households can qualify for the grant programs based upon their adjusted gross income relative to household size (and the federal poverty amounts.) Each year, the program determines the best possible situation for a family, ranging from direct energy assistance grants to weatherization and energy efficiency improvements to lower energy costs. Additionally, the state provides furnace cleaning and replacement, as well as making upgrades to insulation of a given home.
Households are recommended to be proactive by applying for funds and emergency resources in advance of having financing difficulty. During cases of emergency, the state may be able to make emergence grants to ensure heat is not shut off, while energy efficiency programs are generally structured based upon a longer time frame. The state commonly works with families to upgrade appliances that are inefficient or need repairs, including minor upgrades or complete replacement.
Working directly with utility companies, the state aims to reduce households’ energy costs while also upgrading the energy efficiency of a given home. On an as-needed basis, the local state Social Service Offices coordinate allocation of liheap grants as well as upgrades to the energy efficient in homes. Programs range from weatherization grants to directly energy bill subsidies, all of which aim to provide important upgrades to households energy capacity.
