There are three ways to apply for assistance:
Online – (For Utility Assistance Only)
- Rental assistance applications cannot be submitted online.
Pick up & Drop Off
- Clients may pick up, drop off, or mail an application to 4523 Plank Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70805. Applications are also available at local community centers (Community Center Locations Click Here).
Once completed, applications and the required documents can be returned to the nearest community center's drop box or delivered to 4523 Plank Road. If additional documents are needed (such as a Zero Income Form or Contribution Form), the client may request one when picking up the application or downloading from the forms page www.brla.gov/3037/forms .
- Applications can be mailed upon request.
Walk-Ins -- Monday - Thursday (8:30 am – 3:00 pm)
**Mondays Seniors/Disabled Only**
- Be sure to provide a valid telephone number so a team member can contact you.
- Please bring all necessary documents to complete your application.
UTILITY DISCONNECT SERVICE
Customers MUST have a disconnect notice to apply.
Visit the Main Office at 4523 Plank Rd, Baton Rouge, LA 70805, or Call: 225.358.4561
Click the link for an instructional video to set up your account and apply for utility assistance online: https://youtu.be/EM834CNslYo
Click here for a step-by-step guide to the online application instructions
Click here for video to online application instructions
All scanned documents must be scanned clearly. If documents are unclear, it may cause a delay in processing your application.
Note: When sending a picture of the bill, please be sure the picture is clear, legible, and all four corners of the document (the full page) are in the picture. It is recommended you take the picture in a well-lit area with the camera held directly over the form. Do not hold the form, lay it on a flat surface and take the picture.
Households reporting zero income must provide additional documentation. See the form links below:
LIHEAP ZERO INCOME STATEMENT FORMS CLICK HERE
(Completed by all household members 18 and over without income)
LIHEAP ZERO INCOME SUPPLEMENTAL SHEET CLICK HERE
(Complete by Head of Household only with no income)
STATEMENT OF CONTRIBUTIONS CLICK HERE
(Completed by the person who contributes to cover household expenses)
LIHEAP Frequently Asked Questions @ www.brla.gov/oss for additional help.
Note: All applications are reviewed and processed on a first-come first-served basis. All communications will be sent via email. The Agency reserves the right to request additional documents or clarification for any reason deemed necessary.
List of Docs to Provide
Failure to provide all required documentation will delay your assistance. We require below documents:
- Housing: Mortgage and Rent Assistance
- A valid picture of identification for the head of the household
- Social Security cards for every household member
- Proof of income for every household member. Types of income include Alimony, Family Independent Temporary Assistance Program (FITAP) formerly TANF, Dividends, and interest, Gross Government employee pensions, Gross wages and salary, Insurance or annuity payments, Jury Duty Compensation, Military family allotments, Net gaming winnings, Net rental income, Net receipts from self-employment, Net royalties, Net Social Security Administration (SSA) benefits, Periodic receipts from estates or trusts, Gross Private pensions, Gross Railroad retirement, Regular Contributions that are not loans to be re-paid, Social Security Supplemental Income (SSI), Strike benefits from union funds, Training stipends, Unemployment compensation, Veteran’s payments, Worker’s compensation benefits.
- Households reporting zero income must provide additional documentation.
- Lease
- A late rent or mortgage letter / Eviction notice
- Proof of all the household expenses. (Copy of all monthly bills)
- Proof of a hardship
- HOPWA STRMU: Short-term Rent, Mortgage, and Utility Assistance
- A household must have at least one person verified to have an HIV or AIDS diagnosis
- The total household income must be at or below 80 percent of the area median income, as defined by HUD
- The household member must be referred by an HIV service provider
- A valid picture of identification for the head of the household
- Social Security cards for every household member
- Proof of income for every household member
- Lease
- A late rent or mortgage letter / Eviction notice
- Utility disconnect notice
- Proof of all the household expenses
- Proof of a hardship
- Utility: Electric (CSBG)
- A valid picture of identification for the head of the household
- Social Security cards for every household member
- Proof of income for every household member
- A disconnect bill for the current month
- Proof of residence (A bill or letter addressed to the head of the household in the last 30 days)
- LIHEAP Utility: Electric (Crisis) Disconnect Assistance
- Must have a disconnect notice to apply
- A valid picture of identification for the head of the household
- Social Security cards for every household member
- Proof of income for every household member. Types of income include Alimony, Family Independent Temporary Assistance Program (FITAP) formerly TANF, Dividends, and interest, Gross Government employee pensions, Gross wages and salary, Insurance or annuity payments, Jury Duty Compensation, Military family allotments, Net gaming winnings, Net rental income, Net receipts from self-employment, Net royalties, Net Social Security Administration (SSA) benefits, Periodic receipts from estates or trusts, Gross Private pensions, Gross Railroad retirement, Regular Contributions that are not loans to be re-paid, Social Security Supplemental Income (SSI), Strike benefits from union funds, Training stipends, Unemployment compensation, Veteran’s payments, Worker’s compensation benefits.
- Households reporting zero income must provide additional documentation.
- A regular utility bill for the current month
- Proof of hardship
- Proof of residence (A bill or letter addressed to the head of the household in the last 30 days)
- LIHEAP Utility: Electric (Non- Crisis) Assistance
- A valid picture of identification for the head of the household
- Social Security cards for every household member
- Proof of income for every household member. Types of income include Alimony, Family Independent Temporary Assistance Program (FITAP) formerly TANF, Dividends, and interest, Gross Government employee pensions, Gross wages and salary, Insurance or annuity payments, Jury Duty Compensation, Military family allotments, Net gaming winnings, Net rental income, Net receipts from self-employment, Net royalties, Net Social Security Administration (SSA) benefits, Periodic receipts from estates or trusts, Gross Private pensions, Gross Railroad retirement, Regular Contributions that are not loans to be re-paid, Social Security Supplemental Income (SSI), Strike benefits from union funds, Training stipends, Unemployment compensation, Veteran’s payments, Worker’s compensation benefits.
- Households reporting zero income must provide additional documentation.
- A regular utility bill for the current month
- Proof of residence (A bill or letter addressed to the head of the household dated within the last 30 days).
- VITA-Income Tax Preparation (Fed & State)
- A valid picture of Identification - can't be expired (Driver's license, Passport, Military ID, State Issued ID, Employer ID
- Proof of all income statements needed to complete the tax return
- Proof of all Social Security cards for all persons included on tax return
- For direct deposit - bank name, routing and account number
- Medical Insurance through HealthCare.gov, need form 1095-A
- Identity Theft Protection PIN number
Please note after reviewing your documents we may request additional information to complete your application.
