CHARLESTON, WV (WOAY) – In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) will begin mailing applications for the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) on July 31, 2020, to households who were approved for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) but did not receive LIEAP.
To be eligible to receive the LIEAP application, a household would have been approved for SNAP on or after April 1, 2020.
If determined eligible, a one-time payment will be issued to the Public Service Commission-regulated heating vendor indicated on the application. If the household heats with bulk fuel, i.e., wood, coal, or liquified petroleum gas, the payment will be mailed to the individual.
Individuals can return the application by U.S. Mail to their local DHHR office or complete online at www.wvpath.org. Applications must be returned by August 31, 2020. Applications received after this date will be denied.
Income guidelines for LIEAP remain at 60% of the state median income. The maximum allowable gross income levels for LIEAP Fiscal Year 2020 are listed below:
| Household Size | Gross Monthly Income Limit |
| 1 | $1,884 |
| 2 | $2,464 |
| 3 | $3,043 |
| 4 | $3,623 |
| 5 | $4,203 |
| 6 | $4,782 |
| 7 | $5,361 |
| 8 | $5,940 |
| 9 | $6,519 |
| 10* | $7,098 |
*For each additional person, add $579. Households whose countable income exceeds the maximum amount are not eligible. However, some types of income may be excluded for LIEAP.
The program is limited to the amount of federal funding allocated to West Virginia under the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
LIEAP clients may contact their local DHHR office for more information. An online directory is available at http://www.dhhr.wv.gov/bcf/Documents/DHHR.BCF.LocalOffices.pdf.
