Cooling Help Is Free: How to Spot LIHEAP Scams This Summer

There is real help for your summer energy bill

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps families pay energy bills. In the summer, that can mean help with cooling costs to keep your home safe when it is hot.

This program is run by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and delivered through your state. It is free to apply. You do not need to pay anyone to get help.

If money is tight and your electric bill keeps climbing, this is money that may already be there for you.

How the scam works

Scammers know that people are looking for cooling help in the heat of summer. So they pretend to be LIHEAP or a related agency.

They may call, text, email, or set up a website that looks official. Then they ask for a payment, a fee to apply, or a fee to move you up a list. That is the trick.

HHS runs a fraud hotline for people who run into LIHEAP impersonators. The real program never asks you to pay to apply or receive help.

The red flags to watch for

A few clear warning signs can protect you:

Anyone who asks for a fee to apply for LIHEAP is not the real program. Applying is free.

Be careful if someone pressures you to act right away, asks for a gift card or wire transfer, or wants your bank login or Social Security number over the phone.

A real caseworker will not guarantee approval in exchange for money. If it feels like pressure, hang up and go straight to the official source yourself.

The free official way to get help

You do not need a paid middleman. You can find your state's real LIHEAP office through the official HHS page and apply directly.

OpenFinancial is not a government agency and cannot approve your application or make it go faster. What we can do is point you to the free, official path so you are not tricked along the way.

Every state runs its own LIHEAP program with its own rules and deadlines. Start at the official HHS page to search for yours for free.

Frequently asked questions

Does it cost anything to apply for LIHEAP?

No. Applying is free. Anyone who asks you to pay a fee to apply or to speed up your help is not the real program.

How do I know if a call or website is a scam?

Watch for demands for payment, gift cards, or wire transfers, pressure to act instantly, or requests for your bank login. Go to the official HHS page and contact your state office yourself instead of trusting an unexpected call.

Can LIHEAP help with summer cooling and not just heating?

Yes, LIHEAP can help with cooling costs in the summer. Rules vary by state, so check with your state office through the official HHS page.

What should I do if someone tried to scam me?

Do not send money or share personal details. Report it using the HHS LIHEAP fraud information and apply only through your official state office.