Heating Bill Story Archives - West Virginia Public Broadcasting

Households Can Now Apply For Home Heating Assistance

Applications for the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program are open through the end of January 2022 or until funds are exhausted. This is a federally funded program.

Assistance eligibility is based on income, household size and whether the household is responsible for paying its heating bill.

Households whose income exceeds the maximum amount are not eligible, but some types of income like Social Security and veterans benefits may be excluded from the calculation.

The maximum allowable gross income levels for LIEAP Fiscal Year 2022 are listed below:

Household Size	Gross Monthly Income Limit
1	$2,005
2	$2,621
3	$3,238
4	$3,855
5	$4,472
6	$5,088
7	$5,204
8	$5,583
9	$6,150
10	$6,718

For each additional person, add $567. Households whose income exceeds the maximum amount are not eligible. However, some types of income may be excluded for LIEAP.

To qualify, households must meet all program guidelines, which include an applicant’s annual income being at or below 60 percent of the state median income. In situations where a heating emergency exists, applicants must contact a DHHR worker for case evaluation.

Applications are available online at wvpath.org and may also be obtained at local DHHR offices, Community Action agencies, or senior centers operated by an Area Agency on Aging.

Completed applications should be delivered or mailed to the DHHR office located in the applicant’s county of residence. A list of local offices may be found here, or by calling 304-352-4431.

Mailing the application to any other office or to a utility company may delay the receipt by DHHR and prohibit processing the application.

West Virginia Department Accepting Home Heating Applications

West Virginia’s Department of Health and Human Resources says it will accept applications for emergency low-income energy assistance starting Monday until funds are exhausted.

The federally funded program helps eligible residents who have a termination notice in paying home heating bills.

According to the department, residents whose primary heat source is gas or electricity must provide their shut-off notice when applying for the emergency funds.

Those using other sources or bulk fuel may qualify if their fuel is low during the application period.

Households that get the benefits are required to show payments were used for home heating.

West Virginia Offering Low-Income Heating Assistance

West Virginia is accepting applications for low-income people who need helping paying heating bills.

The Department of Health and Human Resources says it began accepting applications Monday for its Emergency Low Income Energy Assistance Program. They’ll be accepted until funding runs out.

The federally-funded program requires residents using either gas or electricity for heat to provide shut-off notices when applying.

People using other sources or bulk fuel must show their heating fuel is at a low level during the application period.

Eligibility is based on income, household size and whether the household pays for heating bills.

Residents who received direct payments of benefits must include receipts proving the money was used for heating.

Applicants must meet income caps, from $1,276 for a one-person household to $5,332 for a 10-person household.

Heating Bill Aid Available for Low-Income West Virginians

Low-income West Virginians can get help paying heating bills through a state program.

The Department of Health and Resources will begin taking applications on Monday for the Emergency Low Income Energy Assistance Program.

Officials say households must meet all program guidelines to qualify and be in an emergency situation that will disrupt the primary heating source if not met.

Residents must go to their local DHHR office to apply. The program will operate until funds are exhausted.

Officials say those whose primary source of heat is either gas or electricity must provide their cut-off notice when applying.

Residents using other primary heating sources or bulk fuel may qualify for assistance if their heating fuel is at a low level during the application period.