The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) this week announced applications for the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) will be accepted Monday, Feb. 6 through Friday, Feb. 17.

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, 135 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 Fiscal Year 2017 are: $1,337 for one person; $1,802 for two people; $2,268 for three people; $2,734 for four people; $3,200 for five people; $3,665 for six people; $4,132 for seven people; $4,600 for eight people; $5,068 for nine people; and $5,536 for 10 people. For each additional person, add $468. 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. A listing of local DHHR offices may be found at http://www.dhhr.wv.gov/bcf/Documents/DHHR.BCF.LocalOffices.pdf.

All applications must be received by DHHR or postmarked by Feb. 17.  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 prevent processing of the application.

The program is limited to the amount of federal funding allocated to West Virginia under the LIHEAP Block Grant.