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| Utility Assistance Utility Assistance Available Starting November 1 Seniors and other low-income persons are eligible for assistance with heating costs through the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) starting November 1. Applications are accepted through April 30 at the local county department of social services. To qualify for LEAP, the individual’s income must be less than $1,670 per month ($2,246 for a couple). There are no resource requirements. Although LEAP does not pay the total heating costs, annual payments for LEAP usually range between $200 and $700 depending on family size, income, and heating costs. The individual should continue to make payments until the grant is awarded. Most of the time, the LEAP payment will be made directly to the supplier of gas. A credit will appear on the heating bill when the LEAP payment is credited. Individuals who receive Supplemental Security Income, Old Age Pension, Aid to the Needy Disabled, Aid to the Blind, Qualified Medicare Benefit, and Special Low Income Medicare Benefit or Medicare Qualifying Individual 1 will receive a “short form” in the mail. The “short form” requires the individual to affirm that the current information is still accurate. Other persons will be required to file the “long form.” Individuals completing the long form will have to provide proof of income and heating costs. If individuals live in subsidized housing and are deemed vulnerable for heating costs, they may be eligible for a LEAP payment. Not all individuals living in low-income housing are eligible for a LEAP payment. If individuals receive a shutoff notice or have the heating service disconnected, the county department of social services may be able to intervene with the utility company. Generally, if the utility company is aware that an application for LEAP is being processed, the service will not be disconnected. Individuals facing an imminent shut-off, may want to use the “Rule 13”. According to Rule 13, the utility must give the customer ten days notice of the intent to shut-off the utilities. Utilities may not be shut-off for sixty days if the customer has medical proof that a shut-off would be harmful. The medical certification may be used only once a year. The utility company must accept payments from the customer to avoid a utility shut-off. Another program that is available to LEAP recipients is the weatherization program and the crisis intervention program that can help in some situations with minor furnace repairs or replacement of broken windows. For more information or forms contact the local county department of social services or go to their website to complete the application form online. |
