Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP)

High winter utility bills can cause low income families financial hardship. In addition to the financial hardship, low income families have additional worries, especially in homes with infants, senior adults and seriously ill individuals; that utility service cutoffs will endanger their family's health. There is good news for low income families in the form of the DHHR Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP).

The DHHR Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) is program funded by the federal government providing assistance with home heating bills to low income families. It is funded by a federally regulated block grant. The program is only offered during the winter months when heating bills become unaffordable for low income families. The assistance provided is a one-time cash payment that is usually awarded in February of each year.

To be eligible for DHHR Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP), a family must be responsible for paying their home heating bill and meet the total gross monthly income eligibility requirements. At least one family member must be a U.S. citizen. Guidelines are for families with one to ten family members. A one-person household has a monthly gross income eligibility requirement of $1,174. For each additional family member, add $406. If your family is denied, you may reapply or request a fair hearing. All applications are processed within 30 days or receipt.

You may apply for the DHHR Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) from local offices of the Department of Health and Human Resources. Applications may be mailed in or dropped of at a local DHHR office, or you may apply online at the Department of Health and Human Resources website. You may not mail the application to the utility company as this will delay processing.

Information needed when completing the application for the DHHR Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) includes name, date of birth and social security number of each member of the household. You must provide proof of income for all household members. Acceptable documents for proof of income are paycheck stubs, award letters or a statement from your employer. If no one in the household is employed and you have unearned income, this amount must be reported on the application. You must also provide a recent heating bill or receipts of heating bills from last year. These receipts must be from the same energy provider you are currently using. After applying, you will receive a letter of notification telling you if you are eligible for assistance and what benefits you can expect to receive.

Sources:

West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources: LIEAP Fact Sheet

North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services: Low Income Energy Assistance Program

Montana Department of Health and Human Services: Energy Assistance