There have been some bouts of seriously cold weather and sadly, there are many area residents who may struggle to keep their homes warm this winter. That’s where the Low Income Energy Assistance Program comes into play.
Managed through the Kansas Department of Children and Families, LIEAP is a federally-funded program that helps eligible households pay a portion of their home energy costs by providing a one-time-per-year benefit. The 2017 application period runs from Tuesday, Jan. 17, through Thursday, March 31.
But, according to DCF officials, no early applications will be accepted, and those turned in prior to Jan. 17 will be denied. Applications must be received prior to 5 p.m. March 31.
Kansas residents who received a LIEAP payment in 2016 will automatically be sent an application for this year on Jan. 16. Those who didn’t take part last year may send in their applications starting Jan. 17.
This process can also be done online at dcf.ks.gov/services/ees/Pages/Energy/EnergyAssistance.aspx.
In order to qualify, there must be an adult living at the address who is personally responsible for paying the heating costs, payable either to the landlord or the heating utility, and applicants must demonstrate a recent history of making heating payments.
The combined gross income (before deductions) of all persons living at the address may not exceed 130 percent of the federal poverty level.
Based on this, the number of residents in a household and the allowable monthly incomes are:
1 – $1,276
2 – $1,726
3 – $2,177
4 – $2,628
5 – $3,078
6 – $3,529
7 – $3,980
8 – $4,430
9 – $4,881
10 – $5,332
11 – $5,783
12 – $6,234
Applicants can add $451 for each additional person.
The benefit levels vary according to a number of factors, including household income, number of persons living at the address, type of dwelling and type of heating fuel, the DCF reports. Availability of funds may also impact the amount of money awarded.
For Barton, Ellsworth, Pawnee, Rice, Rush, Russell and Stafford counties, contact DCF-LIEAP at 1710 Palace Drive in Garden City or call 620-272-5985.
