09/04/2012
Low-Income Energy Assistance
The State of Montana, through the Department of Public Health and Human Services, offers two programs aimed at helping low-income individuals reduce their heating costs.
The Weatherization Program helps participants to improve the heating efficiency of their homes and thus reduce their energy consumption. The Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) pays part of winter energy bills for eligible people. Most utilities offer LIEAP recipients discounts on their bills.
Who Is Eligible
Eligibility for weatherization and fuel (energy) assistance is based on your income and assets. To be eligible for LIEAP, you must make no more than 60 percent of estimated state median income for 2012 if your household consists of seven or fewer, or 150 percent of the 2012 federal poverty level for households with more than seven members. Resource limits also apply. To be eligible for weatherization, you must make no more than 200 percent of the 2012 federal poverty level. Both homeowners and renters may apply for these programs.
Federal Poverty Level
Resource Limits
NEED HELP WITH HEATING COSTS THIS WINTER?
WE CAN HELP: HERES HOW
LIEAP (Low-Income Energy Assistance Program)
Help with hom heating costs for low-income households from October 1 - April 30.
Application is by mail to HRC at 1801 South Higgins, Missoula from 10/1 - 4/30.
•Print an application here.
•Call (406) 728-3710 to be mailed an application.
•Applications also available to walk-ins at all HRC offices.
•Households whose heat is part of the rent and their rent is subsidized, can qualify for $50 every five years. This can increase elegibility for more snap benefits
If your household receives benefits from Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program, you may qualify automatically for weatherization or fuel assistance.
When to Apply
The Low-Income Energy Assistance (LIEAP) and Weatherization Program application is available on this website during the heating season, which is October 1 through April 30 of each year.
You may apply for weatherization assistance or an emergency situation with a furnace or water heater at any time during the year by contacting the energy assistance eligibility office serving your community.
How to Apply
To find out where to apply for energy assistance, contact the Montana Citizen's Advocate, toll-free, at 1-800-332-2272. Or visit the energy assistance eligibility office nearest you. You can download an application form from this website.
All records and information provided by you or obtained through verification are confidential and are not available to the public.
After applying for weatherization and/or fuel assistance, you will be sent a letter of notification. It will tell you whether you are eligible for assistance and what benefits you may expect to receive.
If you think you haven't received the right amount of assistance, inform the eligibility worker immediately. You may ask for a hearing if you disagree with any action taken as a result of your application.
These are equal opportunity programs. If you believe you've been discriminated against because of race, color, national origin, age, s*x, marital status, disability, political beliefs, or religion, write or call the state Office of Fair Hearings, P.O. Box 202953, Helena MT 59620-2953; 406-444-2470.
You can download an application form from this website.
