CHARLESTON, W.Va. – West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources Cabinet Secretary Karen L. Bowling today announced the Bureau for Children and Families
will begin accepting Emergency Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP)
applications March 17, 2014. To qualify, households must meet all program guidelines and
be in an emergency situation that will disrupt the primary heating source if not met.
“This has been a very cold winter and many West Virginia families are struggling to keep up
with high heating costs,” Bowling said. “This emergency assistance will help residents
facing a loss of utilities due to inability to pay.”
Residents whose primary source of heat is either gas or electricity must provide their cut-off
notice when applying for Emergency LIEAP. Those 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.
Households that received direct payment of Regular LIEAP benefits must verify that the
payment was used for home heating by submitting a current receipt with the Emergency
LIEAP application. Failure to submit verification of payment may result in a denial of the
application.
The Emergency LIEAP program will operate until funds are exhausted. To apply, residents
must go to their local DHHR office. A list of local offices may be found at
http://www.wvdhhr.org/bcf/county/ or by calling 304-356-4619.
Monica Hamilton, Bureau for Children and Families, Office: 304-356-4619, E-mail: Monica.A.Hamilton@wv.gov