The Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS) has released that over $2 million in supplemental Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) payments were issued to homes across Hinds County in September.
Payments totaling $1,250 were made directly to utility service providers for over 1,600 households that experienced increased financial pressure related to Jackson’s water crisis.
“With energy costs forecast to average 17% higher than the prior year, MDHS provided this supplemental assistance to relieve additional stress households experience due to rising utility costs,” said Executive Director of MDHS Robert G. Anderson.
All eligible households were required to have previously received LIHEAP benefits from January 1 through August 30, 2022.
“I would like to share my appreciation to our Management Information Services (MIS) and Community Services (CS) teams for their quick work to deliver much needed assistance to Hinds County families,” added Anderson.
LIHEAP is a federal program designed “to assist low-income households, particularly those with the lowest incomes, that pay a high proportion of household income for home energy, primarily in meeting their immediate home energy needs.” This assistance targets the costs of heating and cooling in residential dwellings.
Mississippi households needing assistance with utility and water bills can apply for services through www.access.ms.gov.
