Assistance available for winter heating bills
By JoAn Bjarko
North Forty News
Residents struggling to pay home heating bills this winter could find
some help from LEAP, a federally funded program administered by the Colorado
Department of Human Services.
Peggy Koskie, manager of the Low-income Energy Assistance Program for
Larimer County, said there is always enough money to help applicants who
qualify. The state has budgeted $10 million for the program this year.
When divided among those eligible, the average benefit per household for
the season has been $340.
In Larimer County last year, 5,890 applied and 4,975 households were approved.
Those received a total $1.7 million.
Koskie said the application process is relatively easy, so LEAP is the
fastest way to get help. "There's not a lot of red tape with this program,"
she said.
Age is not a factor when applying. To be eligible, gross monthly income
for a household of one cannot exceed $1,475. Income for a family of four
is $2,983. Koskie noted that Colorado sets income levels at the highest
level allowed under federal criteria.
LEAP administrators count all of an applicant's earned and unearned income,
including Social Security, veteran's benefits, unemployment income or regular
monetary gifts. They do not count resources such as savings and home ownership.
Applicants must be permanent legal residents of Colorado or the United
States, and they must have a heating bill or have heat included in rent.
LEAP accepts applications through April 30, but the county office had already
received 2,100 applications during the first two weeks of November. Koskie
said she expects to see 6,000 by the end of the heating season.
LEAP can also help residents facing a heating crisis, such as a broken
window or a malfunctioning furnace. Up to $1,500 per house per season is
available.
Noting that there will be a high demand on the resources provided through
nonprofit agencies this year, Koskie suggested that people seek help on
heating bills with LEAP first. "There are times when it takes more than
just LEAP," she said. "It won't cover the entire bill, but at least it
will help."
Information is available from Koskie at 498-6426, at the toll free number
1-866-432-8435 or online at www.colorado.gov/LEAP.
LEAP is not intended to pay the entire cost of home heating, so applicants
for assistance should continue to pay on their heating bills.
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