The Colorado Department of Social Services is celebrating February 1st as National Energy Assistance Day.
All potentially eligible Colorados are encouraged to apply to the State of Colorado Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) is a federally funded program that helps eligible households save money by paying a portion of the cost of heating their homes during the winter months.
A statewide program, LEAP helps keep Coloradoers warm during the winter months by making one-time payments directly to utility companies on behalf of each LEAP-eligible household. About 57,000 Colorado households have benefited from his LEAP this season, up 15.8% from last year so far. The average profit is $441.
Applications are being accepted until May 1st.
“According to recent data, nearly 26% of Coloradoans report cutting basic expenses such as food and medicine to pay for their utilities,” explained LEAP Program Manager Theresa Kullen. increase. “LEAP can help people in Colorado who have high utility bills. “
In addition to home heating assistance, LEAP recipients may be eligible for furnace repair and replacement in heat-related emergencies, and weathering services. LEAP recipients may also qualify for the Low Income Domestic Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP), a temporary program that is part of the American Relief Plans Act (ARPA). LIHWAP will provide funds for eligible households facing eviction for nonpayment of water bills, or whose accounts are delinquent or closed, for which funds are available and for water providers to make direct payments. provide. I am a LIHWAP participant.
To qualify for LEAP, Colorados must earn up to 60% of the state’s median income level. This equates to an annual household income of less than $66,468 for a family of four. In addition, the LEAP recipient must pay home heating directly to the utility company or landlord as part of the rent, and the household has at least one of her U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents of the U.S. is needed.
Coloradans can access LEAP applications. cdhs.colorado.gov/LEAPor call 1-866-HEAT-HELP (1-866-432-8435) to receive an application by mail or email, or county welfare office.
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