By Stephen Smoot
On Monday, the West Virginia Department of Human Services will open up a new round of assistance under the Emergency Low Income Energy Assistance Program, or E-LIEAP. The application period runs from June 8 through June 26, but those interested are urged to submit as quickly as possible, as the funding is limited and offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
Administered by the State and using federal funds, ELIEAP “assists eligible state residents in paying home heating or cooling bills.
As Ryan Runion from the Hardy County Family Support Center states, “it’s for low income households with multiple children.” He added that funds “do not last long.” When the program was offered in February, applications closed within six business days because the budget ran out before the application period.
To apply, one must conduct a face-to-face interview at the local Department of Human Services Office. Applicants may receive up to a maximum benefit of $2,000, but if they have received assistance from a previous program, the maximum benefit is the previous award subtracted from $2,000.
Those who rely on West Virginia Public Service Commission regulated utilities, such as First Energy or American Electric power, “must provide a termination notice or past due bill.” Those using bulk fuel “must provide evidence that they are without, or nearly without, fuel.” A verification may be conducted with the bulk fuel vendor to confirm submitted information.
Those who received direct payment assistance from the program must provide receipts to demonstrate that funds used went to the approved purpose.
Emergency LIEAP may only be used toward past-due bill amounts, not the current amount of the bill, but applicants will not need to pay their current bill balance to receive emergency assistance.
Income guidelines are tied to “household size gross monthly income.”
A household of one qualifies at $2,454 of income in a month. Two is set at $3,209, three $3,965, four, $4,720, five $5,475, six $6,230, seven $6,372, eight $6,769, nine $7,456, and 10 $8,144.
The Hardy County Family Support Center has also put out a call for donations of hygiene and household essentials. The center needs important personal hygiene items, such as shampoo and conditioner, soap, feminine hygiene products, razors and shaving cream for men and women, body wash, and more.
They also need more household cleaning products, including laundry detergent, dish soap, toilet paper, trash bags, and other items normally used for household cleaning.
Those who use the Family Support Center have access to these goods when needed.
