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.
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 apply, download an application form from this website. You may also visit the energy assistance eligibility office nearest you to obtain assistance with your application or contact the Montana Citizen's Advocate, toll-free, at 1-800-332-2272.
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 (eligibility office). 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, sex, 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.
Receiving Assistance Weatherization Assistance:
All approved 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.
Fuel Bill Assistance:
If you are eligible for fuel assistance, the payment amount is figured according to your household income, the size and type of your home, and the kind and cost of fuel. Most often, payments are made directly to your utility company or fuel supplier.
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, 3) qualify for an energy tax credit, or 4) volunteer to help your more vulnerable neighbors with their energy needs, visit the Governor's Warm Homes, Warm Hearts Web site.
Help Yourself 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:
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.
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 apply, download an application form from this website. You may also visit the energy assistance eligibility office nearest you to obtain assistance with your application or contact the Montana Citizen's Advocate, toll-free, at 1-800-332-2272.
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 (eligibility office). 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, sex, 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.
Receiving Assistance Weatherization Assistance:
All approved 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.
Fuel Bill Assistance:
If you are eligible for fuel assistance, the payment amount is figured according to your household income, the size and type of your home, and the kind and cost of fuel. Most often, payments are made directly to your utility company or fuel supplier.
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, 3) qualify for an energy tax credit, or 4) volunteer to help your more vulnerable neighbors with their energy needs, visit the Governor's Warm Homes, Warm Hearts Web site.
Help Yourself 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
RSS Feed