The Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) has a very short period of time each year to accept new applications. WVDHHR has just announced this year's new applicant window:
LIEAP will officially open for general intake on Monday, December 7th, and close at the end of the day on Friday, December 18th. Applications may be obtained at local DHHR offices, Community Action agencies, or senior centers operated by an Area Agency on Aging. The online application will also be available on the DHHR website at www.wvinroads.org. In situations where a heating emergency exists, applicants must be seen by a DHHR Worker.
The Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) assists eligible households with the cost of home heating through direct cash payments or payments to utility companies on their behalf. A crisis component is available for households without resources facing the loss of a heating source. Eligibility for both program components is based on a combination of factors, including income, type of heating payment, and total heating costs.
LIEAP is funded entirely by a federal block grant. The program's duration and the amount of the payment is dependent on the amount of the grant. A portion of the grant is transferred to the Office of Economic Opportunity for the Weatherization Program. Applicants for LIEAP may be referred to Weatherization for additional assistance.
The Division of Family Assistance (DFA) operates LIEAP in each of the DHHR field offices for a short time each winter, usually beginning with a mail-out to targeted households. In addition, DFA contracts with the Community Action network and with regional Agency on Aging offices to perform outreach and accept LIEAP applications at their local sites.
