Attention: Pastors, Social Concerns Contacts and Others.

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) consists of two components to help people with winter heating problems: Energy Assistance (EA) and the Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP).

Energy Assistance (EA) Helps Pay Winter Utility Bills:

The Energy Assistance (EA) component of the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program provides financial assistance with winter heating bills during the months of October, November, December, January, February and March.

Applications for this year's program will be accepted in the Community Action Agency (CAA) offices located throughout Missouri from October 1, 2005 through March 31, 2006, unless all funds have been obligated prior to that date.

To determine which CAA agency is responsible for your area, refer to the Directory of Community Action Agencies that accompanies this Government Programs Reporter. This directory is also posted at the MCC web-site. From the home page follow the links from “Winter Heat Assistance.”

Eligibility for EA is limited to households who:

• Are responsible for paying home heating costs;
• Are U.S. citizens, or aliens legally admitted for permanent residence;
• Do not have available resources in excess of $3,000; and
• Meet specific income guidelines that vary according to household size.

The following table shows examples of some of these income guidelines.

Benefits: The amount of benefits under EA vary according to income, household size, and the type of fuel used for home heating. Additional information about specific benefit amounts can be obtained by contacting your local Community Action Agency.

If a person is determined eligible but received an overpayment on a previous EA application, the full amount currently owed will be deducted from any benefit provided during the current program year.

EA is NOT limited only to homeowners. Persons whose home-heating costs are included in their monthly rental charges may, if they are not residents of public subsidized housing projects, also be eligible to receive benefits based on a percentage of their annual rental costs. Persons living in subsidized housing may be eligible if they are paying any out-of-pocket expenses for their heating costs.

Something to remember...

Those wishing to apply for EA should bring five things with them to the Community Action Agency office:

• Documentation of Social Security numbers for all persons living in the home.
• The most recent fuel bill from the supplier of the household’s main heating source.
• Proof of all income sources for all persons living in the home. If self-employed, a copy of the most recent federal tax return form.
• Proof of age, if 65 or older.
• Proof of the amount(s) of any cash and securities owned by any member of the household.

ECIP Funds Can Be Used to Repair Furnaces, Fill Propane Tanks:

A second component of the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program - the Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP) – provides help to people who have lost utility service or face a utility shutoff. Income qualifications are the same as EA but ECIP funds can be used for more than paying utility bills. Help can include finding warm shelter, obtaining blankets, repairing furnaces or refilling empty propane tanks. Up to $600 may be obtained by a household in the winter season.

Parish Action Steps:

• Use the following for a bulletin insert and/or a pulpit announcement:

LIHEAP OFFERS HELP WITH WINTER HEATING: The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) offers financial assistance with winter heating bills and emergency help with furnace repairs or refilling empty propane tanks. To apply for assistance, contact (insert contact information for the Community Action Agency responsible for your area – see the CAA Directory accompanying this mailing ).