Low-Income Energy Assistance

On Wednesday, August 5, 2020 at 1:30 PM, a Public Hearing will be held via a webinar only (no in-person hearing) for the purpose of receiving comments on the draft Department of Public Health and Human Services '2021 LIEAP State Plan' application.  The link to the webinar is: https://mt-gov.zoom.us/j/93838344364?pwd=encwUnFsZXFnUmxQanpORktRVXJZQT09#success. Draft copies of the proposed application is available at the Department of Public Health and Human Services, Intergovernmental Human Services Bureau, 1400 Carter Drive, P.O. Box 202956, Helena, MT 59620-2956 or by calling 1-833-317-1080 starting Monday, July 27, 2020.         (Posted July 20, 2020)

Was your household income affected by COVID-19? 

If you have not received a 2019-2020 LIEAP benefit and have lost household employment due to COVID-19, there is assistance available to help pay your energy bill.   Beginning May 15th, you may apply for an Emergency COVID-19 benefit.   Income from the month preceding your application date will be annualized to determine eligibility. If determined eligible a $200 benefit will be paid directly to your fuel vendor.

 

Apply through the Low-Income Energy Assistance program by contacting your local LIEAP eligibility office or apply by completing and downloading the COVID-19 Emergency Energy Assistance Program Application.

 

This is a one-time emergency benefit to assist participants through these tough times created by COVID-19.  

 

You may apply for assistance at any time during the year by contacting the energy assistance LIEAP eligibility office  or tribal LIHEAP office serving your community. Click on "LIEAP eligibility office" to access phone numbers.  

If you cannot reach your local LIEAP eligibility office, call Montana's toll-free LIEAP number at 1-833-317-1080.

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 Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) pays part of winter energy bills for eligible people. Most utilities offer LIEAP recipients discounts on their bills. The Weatherization Program helps participants to improve the heating efficiency of their homes and thus reduce their energy consumption. In certain circumstances, there is assistance available to help with furnace emergencies.

When & Where to Apply

The Low-Income Energy Assistance (LIEAP) application is available during the heating season, which is October 1 through April 30 of each year, by contacting local LIEAP eligibility office or tribal LIHEAP office serving your community.

You may apply for weatherization assistance at any time during the year by contacting the energy assistance LIEAP eligibility office  or tribal LIHEAP office serving your community.


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LIEAP Eligibility Offices

Tribal LIHEAP Offices

Who Is Eligible

Eligibility for weatherization and fuel (energy) assistance is based on your income and resource limits. Both homeowners and renters may apply for these programs.

If your household receives benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program, you may qualify automatically for weatherization or fuel assistance.

LIEAP Income and Resource Guidelines

LIEAP and Weatherization Programs
2019-2020 Program Year
Poverty Levels

 

Number in Household

LIEAP and CRF
Upper Income Limits

Wx Upper Limits
(Including LIEAP Wx)
200%
1 $25,248 $25,248
2 $33,017 $33,820
3 $40,785 $42,660
4 $48,554 $51,500
5 $56,323 $60,340
6 $64,091 $69,180
7 $65,548 $78,020
8 $67,005 $86,860
9 $71,775 $95,700
10 $78,405 $104,540
11 $85,035 $113,380
12 $91,665 $122,220
13 $98,295 $131,060
14 $104,925 $139,900
15 $111,555 $148,740

The upper limit amounts are 60% of the state median income for household sizes one (1) through eight (8). The upper limit amounts for household sizes nine (9) and greater are 150% of the poverty threshold for the household size. For households at 150 percent of HHS poverty guidelines with more than 9 members add $6,630 for each additional member.

Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP)& Weatherization Program
2019-2020 Program Year
Resource Limits

 

Number in Household

Non-Business Resources
1 $11,610
2 $17,422
3 $18,584
4 $19,746
5 $20,908
6 $22,070
7 $23,232
8 $23,232
9 $23,232
10 $23,232
11 $23,232
12 $23,232

Additional Weatherization Assistance

Households who qualify for LIEAP are also eligible for weatherization and Energy Education.  Discounts on electric bills may be available.  All approved LIEAP applications are ranked according to degree of need and placed in "priority groups." Special priority is given to older adults and disabled individuals. If your application is approved but you're not in a priority group and if you don't receive assistance within a year of your application date please reapply.

An energy auditor will set up a time to visit with you about your home's needs for weatherization materials. The auditor is trained to determine the most cost-effective weatherization measures for your home. These measures may include a furnace tune-up, caulking, client education, insulation, weather-stripping, storm windows, replacement of broken glass, or repair of exterior doors.

Weatherization workers may not be able to install all the materials you need, but they will do the most important weatherization within the dollar limits allowed. In some cases it may not be cost effective to install any weatherization measures.

When your home is scheduled for weatherization work, a crew or an independent contractor will come to install the necessary materials in your home. After the work is completed, you will be asked to sign a statement indicating that you believe the work was done properly and to your satisfaction.

 

LIEAP Benefit Award Matrix (Adjusted 09/01/2019)

Single Family Base Benefit

#Bedrooms

Natural Gas

Electric

Propane

Fuel Oil

Wood

Coal
1 $439 $926 $1,241 $1,303 $793 $617
2 $638 $1,347 $1,804 $1,895 $1,153 $897
3 $869 $1,835 $2,458 $2,582 $1,571 $1,223
4 $1,196 $2,525 $3,382 $3,552 $2,161 $1,682
Multi Family Base Benefit

#Bedrooms

Natural Gas

Electric

Propane

Fuel Oil

Wood

Coal
1 $312 $659 $882 $952 $563 $438
2 $456 $963 $1,290 $1,392 $823 $641
3 $605 $1,277 $1,710 $1,846 $1,091 $849
4 $675 $1,425 $1,908 $2,060 $1,218 $948
Mobile Home Base Benefit

#Bedrooms

Natural Gas

Electric

Propane

Fuel Oil

Wood

Coal
1 $440 $928 $1,244 $1,370 $795 $619
2 $662 $1,398 $1,873 $2,063 $1,197 $932
3 $972 $2,052 $2,748 $3,027 $1,757 $1,367
4 $1,136 $2,397 $3,211 $3,536 $2,052 $1,597
Income/HDD Multipliers

% of Poverty

AEM

IV

V

VI

VII

VIII

IX

X

XI

XII
0-11 1.00 1.08 0.98 0.99 0.93 1.02 1.08 0.90 0.92 1.09
>11-23 0.95 1.02 0.94 0.94 0.89 0.97 1.03 0.86 0.87 1.04
>23-35 0.90 0.97 0.89 0.89 0.84 0.92 0.98 0.81 0.82 0.98
>35-47 0.85 0.92 0.84 0.84 0.79 0.87 0.92 0.77 0.78 0.93
>47-59 0.80 0.86 0.79 0.79 0.75 0.82 0.87 0.72 0.73 0.87
>59-71 0.75 0.81 0.74 0.74 0.70 0.77 0.81 0.68 0.69 0.82
>71-83 0.70 0.75 0.69 0.69 0.65 0.71 0.76 0.63 0.64 0.76
>83-95 0.65 0.70 0.64 0.64 0.61 0.66 0.70 0.59 0.60 0.71
>95-107 0.60 0.65 0.59 0.59 0.56 0.61 0.65 0.54 0.55 0.65
>107-119 0.55 0.59 0.54 0.54 0.51 0.56 0.60 0.50 0.50 0.60
>119-131 0.50 0.54 0.49 0.49 0.47 0.51 0.54 0.45 0.46 0.55
>131-143 0.45 0.48 0.44 0.44 0.42 0.46 0.49 0.41 0.41 0.49
>143 0.40 0.43 0.39 0.39 0.37 0.41 0.43 0.36 0.37 0.44

More Energy Assistance Ideas

For more ideas about how you can 1) lower your living expenses by conserving energy, 2) get help paying your energy bills, or 3) qualify for an energy tax credit.

To help you with weatherization strategies-many of which you can do yourself-the HRDCs and the Montana State University Extension Service offer many resources. Contact your HRDC or MSU Extension Office for brochures on these topics:

  • Top Ten Home Energy Saving Tips
  • Air Sealing - Keep Heat Where it Belongs
  • Cool Your Home Naturally
  • Energy-Efficient Lighting
  • Water Heater Maintenance
  • Storm Windows
  • Home Insulation Choices
  • Attic Insulation
  • Insulating Side Walls of Existing Homes
  • Floor and Foundation Insulation
  • How to Save Energy
  • Gas Appliances and Your Health
  • Indoor Air Quality
  • How You Can Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
  • Controlling Condensation
  • Energy Tips for Mobile Homes
  • Power Bill's Home Energy Activities

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