In January, communities around Kansas City (MO) experienced a rollercoaster of temperatures, ranging from frigid below zero to surprisingly balmy 60s. As we bid farewell to this dynamic month, one caring resident is eager to remind everyone about a year-round lifeline for utility assistance. For years, locals have been relying on Evergy’s Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), a valuable resource that provides essential support.
Missouri residents have the opportunity to apply for LIHEAP throughout the entire year, ensuring ongoing assistance. Meanwhile, our neighbors in Kansas can seek aid through LIEAP, or the Low Income Energy Assistance Program, with the application window open until March 29.
Missouri’s LIHEAP Program Could Give You up to $800
Available assistance includes funds from the LIHEAP program, which offers support for covering home energy bills. Two primary components are Energy Assistance, providing a one-time payment for a specific fuel type to address heating or cooling costs from October to May, and the Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP).
ECIP aids in paying energy bills when faced with termination or disconnect notices. Eligibility criteria encompass scenarios such as a specific disconnect date, a final billing statement confirming termination, propane-fuel oil tanks filled below 20% capacity, cash-on-delivery (COD) or pre-paid electric customers indicating impending depletion, or indications of depletion for alternative fuel sources (e.g., Wood, corn pellets, kerosene).
The assistance amount correlates with the bill from the energy provider. Winter ECIP, available from November to May contingent on funding, offers a maximum assistance amount of $800.
The people who are eligible are those who have the responsibility of paying the energy bills at home, and also the rent. Must be a permanent resident of Missouri and have a U.S. citizenship or legal resident status. Your bank, retirement, or investment account must also have less than $3,000.
Income criteria are also applied, since the resources of programs such as LIHEAP are intended for those households with fewer economic resources, or who are going through a time of financial difficulty.
Complete the LIHEAP application (here in English and here in Español) and save the document to your computer or device. Once you’ve filled all the blanks, click the “submit” button you’ll see at the end of the last page, and it will deliver automatically. Be sure to save your application before submitting.
You can also deliver it to your nearest contracted LIHEAP agency: you can find the list of the agencies, by clicking in this link.
Keep Paying Your Bills
After you submit your application and required documents, they will carefully review your case within around 30 business days, unless it’s considered a crisis for LIHEAP. Following this, you’ll receive a friendly letter by mail, outlining your eligibility status and the approved assistance amount.
Once you’ve applied, it’s important to continue making regular payments for your utility bills whenever possible. This helps ensure you don’t face disconnection or run out of fuel sources like propane, wood, or pre-paid electric. Remember, direct these payments to your utility company, not the LIHEAP agency.