COLUMBUS, Ga. - Colder nights mean bigger power and gas bills, and a federal program can help qualifying households in the Columbus area pay them. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, known as LIHEAP, is paid for by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and run by each state through local community action agencies. Georgia and Alabama run it on different calendars with different rules, so where you live along the Chattahoochee decides when and where you apply.

The aid is a payment toward your heating bill, not a loan, and Georgia says energy assistance is always provided at no cost to customers. Money is limited, and Georgia's Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) says agencies serve applicants on a first-come, first-served basis. The state's advice is simple: "Customers are encouraged to apply early before funding expires."

Georgia: when heating help opens

Georgia's heating program "typically begins the first workday of December each year" for residents who are 65 or older or medically homebound, according to DFCS. All other eligible households can apply starting the first workday in January. The federal LIHEAP Clearinghouse lists Georgia's heating and winter crisis seasons as running from Dec. 1 to July 31.

To qualify, a household's gross annual income must be at or below 60% of Georgia's state median income, DFCS says. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or legally admitted immigrants and must be fully responsible for paying the bill for their main heating source. DFCS also says households with an energy bill credit of $1,000 or more are not eligible.

For federal fiscal year 2026, Georgia's heating benefit ranged from $400 to $810, and its winter crisis benefit was up to $810, according to the LIHEAP Clearinghouse profile. The crisis aid is meant for households facing heating or cooling emergencies that are life threatening, DFCS says. Benefit amounts depend on federal funding, so this winter's figures may differ.

Where to apply in Muscogee County

In Georgia, every applicant must go through the community action agency for the county where they live. In Muscogee County that is Enrichment Services Program, which calls itself "the only Community Action Agency in Muscogee County, Georgia." Its office is at 2601 Cross Country Drive, Building C, and the phone number is 706-649-1600.

Enrichment Services books energy assistance by appointment through an online scheduler linked from its home page under "Energy Assistance Appointment." Its appointment page lists Chattahoochee, Clay, Harris, Muscogee, Quitman, Randolph, Stewart and Talbot counties. When this story was prepared in mid-November, the scheduler showed no open appointments for the month, so check back as the December start nears.

What to bring in Georgia

Enrichment Services warns that "Failure to provide all required documentation will delay your assistance." Gathering the papers ahead of your appointment can save a second trip. The agency lists these items:

• Proof of income for the past 30 days for each household member 18 or older
• Proof of U.S. citizenship or legal immigrant status, plus a state-issued photo ID, for each adult
• Proof of Social Security numbers for everyone in the household
• Your latest electric, gas or propane, and water bills, if they apply
• This year's award letter if anyone receives SSI, Social Security, a pension, VA benefits or workers' compensation

Staff may ask for more after they review your documents. If you are not sure which agency serves your county, DFCS links a statewide contact list and a provider map from its LIHEAP page. Georgia's statewide line for questions is 877-423-4746, and DFCS offers interpreter services at no cost.

Alabama: Phenix City, Russell County and Lee County

Alabama starts its heating season earlier than Georgia. The LIHEAP Clearinghouse lists Alabama's heating and winter crisis seasons as Oct. 1 to April 30, with cooling help from May 1 to Sept. 30. For federal fiscal year 2026, Alabama's heating benefit ranged from $280 to $580, and winter crisis aid reached up to $1,100.

The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) runs the program through regional agencies. Russell County, including Phenix City, is served by the Macon-Russell Community Action Agency, whose Russell County call center is 334-408-4066 and whose main office in Tuskegee is 334-727-6100, according to ADECA's agency map. Lee County residents, including those in Smiths Station, apply through the Alabama Council on Human Relations in Auburn at 334-246-5266 or 334-821-8336, which also offers an online scheduler.

ADECA's most recent posted eligibility summary, effective Oct. 1, 2025, sets maximum monthly gross income limits by household size. Those limits run from $1,956 for one person to $11,581 for a household of 15. Here are the first six levels:

Alabama applicants must live in the state, show proof of gross income for every household member for the month before they apply, and bring Social Security cards for everyone plus the applicant's photo ID. You will also need a recent heating or cooling bill with your account number, in the name of the head of household or a spouse. ADECA warns that you are still responsible for any part of the bill the program does not cover.

Tips before you call

Have your documents ready before you book, because missing items slow things down in both states. If someone in your home is 65 or older or medically homebound and you live in Georgia, mark the first workday of December on your calendar. Because each agency works first come, first served until its money runs out, applying as early as you are eligible is the best way to get help this winter.