Low Income Energy Assistance Program Story Archives - West Virginia Public Broadcasting

DHHR Accepting Applications For Emergency LIEAP

The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources is accepting applications for the Emergency Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) June 26 – 30.

The LIEAP program assists eligible residents in paying home energy bills. Under the emergency program, a household whose source is gas or electricity must have their shut-off notice when they apply for emergency LIEAP. Residents who are using primary energy sources or bulk fuel could meet the requirements if their energy fuel is at a low level at the time they apply.

Households that received a direct payment of regular LIEAP benefits must show it was used for home energy by submitting a receipt with their application. If a resident fails to submit a verified payment, their application may be denied.

Eligibility for this program is based on income, household size, and if it is responsible for paying the home energy bill.

Families must meet all the guidelines to qualify. Residents must go to their local DHHR office to apply.

Visit the DHHR website for a list of local offices.

Application Period Opens For W.Va. Home Heating Assistance

West Virginia residents who need help with their home heating bills this winter can apply for another round of financial help from the Department of Health and Human Resources. The relief comes as the colder months are setting in and the economic future is uncertain, due to the pandemic.

Applications opened Monday for the Low Income Energy Assistance Program, which will help pay heating bills for qualifying West Virginia homes for one month.

The heating assistance program occurs each year, but the DHHR said it expects more applications than normal due to hardships from the pandemic this year.

This season’s LIEAP program is funded through the CARES Act, federal COVID-19 relief aid distributed to states in the spring and summer, and is supplemented with a recent federal grant of more than $28.6 million, according to the DHHR.

Many LIEAP qualifying households received two additional heating support payments this year due to the pandemic. Additionally, money from the CARES Act was distributed to those who could not afford utilities during the first four months of the pandemic. After a voluntary hiatus, beginning July 1, West Virginia utility companies reinstated service shutoffs.

U.S. Senator Joe Manchin said in a news release that about 48,000 West Virginians will need heating assistance this winter.

To see if you qualify for West Virginia’s Low Income Energy Assistance Program, go to the website — wvpath.org.

Second Application Period Opens for the Low Income Energy Assistance Program

The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources has announced a second application period for the federally funded Low Income Energy Assistance Program. The program is available to state residents with income at our below 130 percent of the federal poverty line in need of assistance paying home heating bills.

Applications are being accepted from February 29, 2016 – March 11, 2016 from new households that were not previously approved for assistance.

The maximum allowable gross income levels for LIEAP FY 2016 are listed below:

HOUSEHOLD SIZE	MONTHLY ALLOWABLE INCOME
1 Person	$1,276
2 Person	$1,726
3 Person	$2,177
4 Person	$2,628
5 Person	$3,078
6 Person	$3,529
7 Person	$3,980
8 Person	$4,430
9 Person	$4,881
10 Person	$5,332

For each additional person, add $451. Households whose countable income exceeds the maximum amount are not eligible. However, some types of income may be excluded for LIEAP.

Applications can be found at local DHHR offices, community action agencies, or senior centers operated by any Area Agency on Aging. Applications are also available online at www.wvinroads.org. Completed applications should be delivered or mailed to the DHHR office located in the applicant’s county of residence.

All applications must be received by DHHR or postmarked by March 11, 2016. Applications received after this date will not be approved. Mailing the application to any other office or to a utility company may delay receipt by DHHR and prohibit processing of the application.

Adapted from a February 29, 2016 Department of Health and Human Resources press release.

Appalachia Health News is a project of West Virginia Public Broadcasting, with support from the Benedum Foundation.