Heating the home during the cold months can be a costly undertaking, but low-income households may be eligible to receive assistance paying those bills this winter.
La Plata County Department of Human Services and Discover Goodwill of Southern and Western Colorado have partnered for five years to offer the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) to local households.
Last winter, between Nov. 1, 2015, and April 30, 2016, 564 households received assistance out of 749 that applied.
“It’s a big help for people who are having trouble paying their heating bills in the winter,” Human Services Director Lezlie Mayer said. “We really encourage anyone having trouble to apply for some assistance.”
Eligibility is determined by household income, type of dwelling, family size and fuel type. Applicants are responsible for paying heating costs directly to an energy provider or fuel dealer, or as part of their monthly rent payments.
Applications are available at the La Plata County Department of Human Services at 10 Burnett Court in the Durango Tech Center, at most fuel vendors, La Plata Electric Association, local libraries and at www.colorado.gov/cdhs/LEAP.
If applicants are unable to mail their forms as requested, Mayer said they can bring their applications to the Human Services Department, which will fax the forms to Discover Goodwill in Colorado Springs.
LEAP-eligible households may also qualify for the Crisis Intervention Program, which provides assistance repairing or replacing a home’s primary heating source. Applications are available by calling 866-432-8435.
