CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources today announced applications for the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) will be accepted beginning Monday, February 8, 2016 and ending Friday, February 12, 2016. The federally funded program assists eligible state residents in paying home heating bills.
Eligibility for LIEAP benefits is based on income, household size and whether or not the household is responsible for paying its home heating bill. Income must be at or below 130 percent of the federal poverty guideline for the household size. In situations where a heating emergency exists, applicants must be seen by a DHHR worker.
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 may be obtained 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 February 12, 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.
The program is limited to the amount of federal funding allocated to West Virginia under the LIHEAP Block Grant.