Utility Assistance
Apply online for utility assistance beginning December 1st at WV inROADS.
Low Income Energy Assistance Program - (LIEAP)
LIEAP will officially open for general intake on Monday, December 1st, and close at the end of the day on Friday, December 12th. Applications may be obtained at local DHHR offices, Community Action agencies, or senior centers operated by an Area Agency on Aging. The online application will also be available on the DHHR website at www.wvinroads.org. In situations where a heating emergency exists, applicants must be seen by a DHHR Worker. Any applications not postmarked by December 12th will be denied.
The Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) assists eligible households with the cost of home heating through direct cash payments or payments to utility companies on their behalf. A crisis component is available for households without resources facing the loss of a heating source. Eligibility for both program components is based on a combination of factors, including income, type of heating payment, and total heating costs.
LIEAP is funded entirely by a federal block grant. The program's duration and the amount of the payment is dependent on the amount of the grant. A portion of the grant is transferred to the Office of Economic Opportunity for the Weatherization Program. Applicants for LIEAP may be referred to Weatherization for additional assistance.
The Division of Family Assistance (DFA) operates LIEAP in each of the DHHR field offices for a short time each winter, usually beginning with a mail-out to targeted households. In addition, DFA contracts with the Community Action network and with regional Agency on Aging offices to perform outreach and accept LIEAP applications at their local sites.
View the FY 2009 LIEAP Fact Sheet below for further information, including income guidelines. If you have questions, please contact your local County Office.
20% Discount Program
The Special Reduced Residential Service Rate Program (20% Utility Discount Program) was established by statute to assist certain eligible participants in receiving a 20% discount from their electric and/or gas company.
In order to be eligible for this rate reduction, one must be a recipient of either SSI, WV WORKS, or SNAP (former Food Stamp Program) AND be 60 years of age or older. One must be a recipient of one of these programs during November, December, January, February, and March to get the discount for that month.
The electric and/or gas company will be responsible for determining your eligibility for the Special Reduced Residential Service Rate.
Tel-Assistance/LIFELINE and Link-Up
Through Tel-Assistance/Lifeline, telephone companies offer reduced basic service to eligible low-income elderly and disabled customers. The Division of Family Assistance issues applications to eligible recipients and provides ongoing eligibility information to the telephone companies and informs them when customers are no longer eligible for Tel-Assistance. This is handled centrally by the Division of Family Assistance.
Through Link Up, telephone companies offer a discount on telephone installation to low-income households. Applications and certification of eligibility are handled centrally by the Division of Family Assistance.
