Low Income Energy Assistance Program

The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources are accepting applications from the general public for the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP). This began Tuesday, January 22, and ends Friday, February 1.

The Low Income Energy Assistance program will allow households to obtain assistance with home heating before the start of winter weather increases demand and shortens supply of some heating fuels.

Applications may be obtained at local DHHR offices, community action agencies, or senior centers operated by any Area Agency on Aging. Completed applications must be returned to the local DHHR Office by Feb 1 deadline. Applications will also be available on the DHHR website ending Febuary 1. The application must be printed and mailed to the DHHR office located in the applicant’s county of residence.

Mailing the application to any other office or to a utility company may delay receipt of the application by DHHR and prohibit processing of the application. In situations where a heating emergency exists, applicants must be seen by a DHHR worker.

Eligibility for LIEAP benefits is based on income, household size and whether or not the household is responsible for paying its heating bill. Income must be at or below 130 percent of the federal poverty guideline for the household size.

All applications, whether mailed or hand-delivered, must be received by DHHR or postmarked by February 1. Applications received after this date will be denied. The program is limited to the amount of federal funding allocated to West Virginia under the LIHEAP Block Grant.