CHARLESTON, W.Va. – West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources Cabinet Secretary Karen L. Bowling today announced the Bureau for Children and Families will begin accepting Emergency Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) applications March 17, 2014. To qualify, households must meet all program guidelines and be in an emergency situation that will disrupt the primary heating source if not met.
“This has been a very cold winter and many West Virginia families are struggling to keep up with high heating costs,” Bowling said. “This emergency assistance will help residents facing a loss of utilities due to inability to pay.”
Residents whose primary source of heat is either gas or electricity must provide their cut-off notice when applying for Emergency LIEAP. Those using other primary heating sources or bulk fuel may qualify for assistance if their heating fuel is at a low level during the application period.
Households that received direct payment of Regular LIEAP benefits must verify that the payment was used for home heating by submitting a current receipt with the Emergency LIEAP application. Failure to submit verification of payment may result in a denial of the application.
The Emergency LIEAP program will operate until funds are exhausted. To apply, residents must go to their local DHHR office. A list of local offices may be found at http://www.wvdhhr.org/bcf/county/ or by calling 304-356-4619.
