Enrichment Services Program, Inc. (ESP) will begin accepting appointments for the 2022-2023 Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) beginning Tuesday, November 1, 2022. LIHEAP is a federal program that helps low-income households pay for heating or cooling their homes. Muscogee County residents who are 65 years of age or older may apply Tuesday, November 1st, at 4:00 PM. Sixty-five years or older residents of Chattahoochee, Clay, Harris, Quitman, Randolph, Stewart, and Talbot counties may apply Tuesday, November 1st at 2:00 PM. All adult household members must be 65 years or older.

This assistance is based on household income, household size, type of fuel, and other factors. To qualify, the family's income must be less than or equal to 60% of the median income for a Georgia family. For a household of one, the income threshold is $28,058, and $53,957 for a household of five.

Appointments for Chattahoochee, Clay, Harris, Quitman, Randolph, Stewart, and Talbot will be made by telephone. Appointment calls for Muscogee County residents will be made online and by phone. ESP must receive the following documentation:

• Proof of income for the past 30 days for each person in the household
• Proof of Social Security Numbers for each person in the household
• Last/current month's electric or gas/propane bill for the household
• Current proof of citizenship or legal immigrant status, state-issued picture identification (ID) such as driver's license, ID card, voter registration card, passport, military ID, etc., for each person in the household
• If receiving SSI, Social Security, Pension, VA Benefits, or Worker's Compensation, the 2022 award letter is required.

All appointments will be completed in person at the Neighborhood Service Center in the county where the resident resides. Appointment lines may close periodically based on the availability of funds. Funds are administered on a first-come, first-served basis until all funds are exhausted. On December 1, 2022, all other eligible residents can begin applying for assistance.

Water assistance payments are available in Chattahoochee, Clay, Harris, and Muscogee counties without an additional appointment. Customers must submit their water bill along with other required documents.