California faced another hotter-than-average summer, with heat waves taking many parts of the state well into triple digits. When temperatures climb, residents rely more than ever on their air conditioning to keep them safe and healthy. Extreme heat means high energy bills, putting low-income residents who struggle to pay high rates at risk. When turning off the air conditioning isn’t an option, the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is there to ensure that people don’t have to make sacrifices to stay safe from extreme weather.
LIHEAP is a federally funded program designed to provide assistance and relief to low-income households to help meet their immediate energy needs. Equally significant in the summer as it is in the cold winters, August typically marks a peak of high temperatures in California, tasking LIHEAP with the vital job of assisting eligible families with paying their energy bills and offering weatherization opportunities as a sustainable long-term solution.
According to the California Department of Community Services and Development (CSD), 150,000+ households received LIHEAP services in the 2024 fiscal year, with 3,000+ homes receiving weatherization services. LIHEAP has a decades-long history of preventing utility disconnections and serving the most vulnerable populations such as families with young children, individuals with disabilities and seniors. Nearly half of California’s Community Action Agencies (CAA) operate LIHEAP programs.
In 2024, the Community Action Partnership of San Bernardino County (CAPSBC) reported that 23,737 individuals received utility assistance. At the same time, they can be connected to other energy programs at the CAA, focusing on home efficiency improvements such as duct repairs, filter replacements, and low-flow showerheads to combat waste. They also install thermostats, light bulbs/LEDs, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and perform other small household repairs to better serve those in need.
In 2025, the Fresno Economic Opportunities Center (EOC)’s LIHEAP program provided relief to over 12,000 individuals in 4,601 households. Some of their other energy efficiency efforts include using sealants to weather-strip doors to improve comfortable temperatures, testing and repairing household appliances and insulating walls, floors and ceilings.
While air conditioning may seem like a short-term household comfort, the lack of reliable air conditioning and proper weatherization can lead to an extremely disrupted life and pose serious health threats. Heat-related illnesses such as heatstroke, dehydration and exhaustion can wreak havoc on home and work life, and intense cases can even lead to temporary displacement from the home.
LIHEAP Action Month ends, we are proud to celebrate the Community Action Agencies and Energy Local Service Providers who continue to keep Californians safe and healthy and in their homes. Visit https://csd.ca.gov/energybills for more information on LIHEAP services in California.