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Energy Services
LIEAP (Low-Income
Energy Assistance Program) pays part of winter energy bills for eligible
families. Payments are usually made to utility companies or fuel vendors.
Applications are available from October 1st through April 30th.
Eligibility for LIEAP is based on income and resources. The following
documents are needed when you submit an application:
- A recent copy of
your fuel bill (unless you heat with wood or coal);
- Income records
such as stubs for wages, unemployment compensation or child support,
interest income, retirement benefits, alimony payments, social security
(award letter), supplemental social security income (award letter),
self-employment, and property income; and
- Your most recent
bank statements for all accounts.
- Propane and Fuel
Oil clients must submit the following:
- A statement
from your fuel vendor stating that they will supply your fuel;
- Your current
balance with your vendor; and
- Your fuel
consumption for the previous 12 months.
LIEAP Application
(PDF)
Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader, Get It Here
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Income Standards Effective October 1, 2007
The income standards in the table below are 150% of the U.S. Government
Office of Management and Budget poverty level of households of different
sizes. Households with income less than 150% of poverty are eligible.
|
Number in HouseHold |
150% of Poverty |
|
1 |
$15,315 |
|
2 |
$20,535 |
|
3 |
$25,755 |
|
4 |
$30,975 |
|
5 |
$36,195 |
|
6 |
$41,415 |
|
7 |
$46,635 |
|
8 |
$51,855 |
|
9 |
$57,075 |
|
10 |
$62,295 |
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Resource Limit Effective October 1, 2007
The following property resources shall make a family unit ineligible when
in total they exceed $9,378 for a single person, $14,071 for a two-person
household and $938 for each additional member. ($18,759 maximum)
-
Cash on hand
-
Certificate of
Deposit (CD)
-
Savings and
checking accounts
-
Market value of
stocks or bonds and/or other negotiable resources
-
Market value of
contract of deed and/or other negotiable resources
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Business Equity
A family who owns a business with an equity value in excess of $12,500 is
ineligible.All
records and information about your situation are kept in confidence. The
LIEAP benefit amount is figured according to the number of household
members, bedrooms, type of home, primary heat source and the total
household income for 12 months. Clients
must re-apply
each year.
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All clients eligible for LIEAP are
automatically eligible for weatherization. The clients’ homes are
ranked on a priority list according to income and energy usage. When your
name moves to the top of the priority list, an energy auditor will
schedule a time to assess your home’s needs for weatherization materials.
The auditor is trained to determine the most cost-effective weatherization
measures for your home. Weatherization measures may include a furnace
tune-up, caulking, weather stripping, insulation, storm windows, vent
dampers, window quilts, replacement of broken glass, and repair of primary
doors. Weatherization workers may not be able to install all the materials
you may need, but they will do the most important weatherization within
the dollar limits allowed. An estimated 200 homes out of 1400 homes are
weatherized each year. Since we can not weatherize every eligible home in
a single year, there is the Warm Hearts-Warm Homes of Montana program.
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Warm Hearts-Warm Homes Montana
low cost weatherization materials are
provided to clients at or below 200% of poverty. These materials include
energy efficient light bulbs, smoke detectors, carbon dioxide detectors,
caulking, weather stripping, water heater jackets, pipe wrap, furnace
filters, door sweeps, kitchen aerators, plastic for windows, outlet
gaskets, and low flow shower heads. The LIEAP application is used to
qualify clients for the Warm Hearts-Warm Homes Montana program.
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Energy Ombudsman
helps clients identify their energy
costs, so they can control energy usage and reduce their energy bills.
Energy talks and demos are also provided at senior citizen centers,
schools, service groups, and health fairs.
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Energy Share
of Montana is a non-profit program dedicated to helping families
overcome emergencies and move toward self-reliance. Funds are offered to
any family with an energy emergency (i.e. facing disconnect or out of
fuel).
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