Thumbnail image courtesy of the Del Norte Senior Center
With its 2026 LIHEAP contract in hand, the Del Norte Senior Center is accepting applications from residents seeking energy assistance.
The Low Income Energy Assistance Program is open to all low-income households, not just senior citizens, Executive Director Charlaine Mazzei said. But with funding more limited than in previous years, applications will be prioritized on need, she told Redwood Voice Community News via email on Tuesday.
“We are starting 2026 with about $253,000 available to help with electricity, wood, propane and other heating fuels,” Mazzei said. “VERY roughly, that’s enough to help about 350 households based on our average benefits amount from 2025. But that can vary a lot depending on the circumstances of the households that apply.”
LIHEAP is funded through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and is administered by the California Department of Community Services and Development. In Del Norte County, residents can access an application by visiting the senior center’s website or visiting the senior center at 1765 Northcrest Drive in Crescent City.
Households must meet a new set of guidelines to be eligible for assistance. Under the 2026 guidelines, a single-person household must receive a monthly income of less than $3,331.66 to receive LIHEAP assistance while a four-person household with a monthly income of less than $6,407.16 would be eligible.
LIHEAP was one of the federal programs impacted by the federal government shutdown in October and November. On Nov. 6, NPR reported that roughly 6 million households nationwide pay their heating or cooling bills, buy fuel or fix broken heaters with LIHEAP assistance.
In Del Norte County, the program is primarily meant to help people keep warm during the winter, though the funding doesn’t differentiate between those who have electric heating, Mazzei said. LIHEAP is strictly for the fuel used to heat recipients’ homes, she said.
On Dec. 1, Mazzei said the continuing resolution that reopened the federal government on Nov. 12 kept LIHEAP funding at 2025 levels. At the time, she said she had been told that about 90% of the program’s 2026 funding would be released soon, but she had been waiting on the state Community Services Department to issue contracts to local service providers.
“I’m anticipating that we’re still three weeks away from getting our contracts and being able to have funds to distribute,” Mazzei said on Dec. 1. “Our new contracts would have taken effect Nov. 1 so we’re at least a month behind.”
According to Mazzei, those who aren’t able to receive LIHEAP assistance may still be eligible for a discount on their Pacific Power electric bill. The senior center includes a Pacific Power CARE Program application in its packet and will submit those applications to the utility on behalf of the potential recipient.
Weatherization services are also available through the Redwood Community Action Agency. Mazzei said the Humboldt-based organization has an allocation of U.S. Department of Energy funding for Del Norte residents.
“The application process is the same as for financial assistance,” Mazzei said. “(Applicants) need to let us know they want to apply for weatherization when they turn in the application.”
