Recently, the agency began taking applications for Low Income Home Energy Assistance. On July 13, the day the application period opened, the lines were long as people went to their local OKDHS Human Services Center before the doors opened.

The Summer Cooling funds are designed to help low-income households that are extremely vulnerable to summer-heat stresses, an especially important program when Oklahoma has experienced a number of days in the 100-plus degree range.

Nearly $3.5 million for summer cooling assistance is still available for low-income households across the state through the program.

“So far, $13.5 million has been paid to electric service providers on behalf of our clients,” said Cari Crittenden, OKDHS LIHEAP coordinator. “We urge Oklahomans who haven’t yet applied to contact their local OKDHS Human Services Center to apply.”

OKDHS will continue taking applications until the funding, up to $18.7 million, allocated for the 2009 program has been depleted.

Eligibility for LIHEAP is based on a household’s income and assets. Since this year’s program began, OKDHS has helped more than 66,000 households with their summer cooling bills.