The application period started on Nov. 1 for the LEAP heating assistance program for qualifying households.
LEAP (Low-income Energy Assistance Program) is federally funded and administered by the Colorado Department of Human Services. It pays the highest benefits to residents with the highest heating bills and lowest income by family size. Income may not exceed 165 percent of the federal poverty level, $3,341 a month for a family of four. The average benefit last winter was about $389 per household.
To qualify, applicants must be responsible for paying heating costs directly to an energy provider, fuel dealer, or as part of their rent. They must be permanent legal residents of the U.S. and Colorado, or have household members who are U.S. citizens.
Eligible households also might qualify for programs that inspect the home's primary heat source and for weatherization upgrades to improve the home's energy efficiency.
To find out if you qualify, call (866) 432-8435, or go to www.colorado.gov/cdhs/leap for application requirements and to download an application.
