Emergency Energy Assistance Applications Will Open Soon

Low income West Virginia residents will soon be able to apply for emergency energy assistance to get through the summer heat if they are in danger of having service shut off.

The West Virginia Department of Human Services (DoHS) will accept applications for the Emergency Low Income Energy Assistance Program (ELIEAP) from June 8-26, or until funds are exhausted.  

The federally funded program assists eligible residents with paying home heating or cooling bills. Residents whose primary heating and cooling source is gas or electricity must provide a termination notice or a past due utility bill when applying for the program.  

Households using other primary heating sources or bulk fuel may qualify for assistance if their heating fuel levels are critically low during the application period. 

Eligibility is based on household income, household size and responsibility for paying home heating or cooling costs.  

Households that received a direct payment through the regular Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) must verify that the benefit was used for home heating expenses.  

Applicants must submit a current receipt equal to the amount of LIEAP assistance received along with their ELIEAP application. Failure to provide verification of payment will result in denial of the application.  
The income limit for Fiscal Year 2026 is 60% of the State Median Income.  

The maximum allowable gross income levels for ELIEAP Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 are: 

*For each additional household member, add $688. Households whose countable income exceeds the maximum allowable amount are not eligible for assistance. Certain types of income may be excluded when determining ELIEAP eligibility. 
 
Residents must apply in person at their local DoHS office. A directory of local offices is available at dohs.wv.gov/field-offices.  

Officials say applications will be processed as long as funding remains available.