Tag: energy assistance program

Kansas residents can apply now for Low Income Energy Assistance Program to pay high electric bills

Gov. Laura Kelly is encouraging Kansas residents to apply for funds available through the Low Income Energy Assistance Program to help pay high electricity bills caused by extremely cold temperatures.

Because of extreme cold, residents may see higher than usual utility costs.

“My administration is considering every tool at our disposal to ensure Kansans and communities are protected from price surges caused by the extreme weather,” said Gov. Kelly said in a news release. “While LIEAP assistance is available to Kansans experiencing higher than usual utility costs, we continue to communicate with our local and federal partners to address this problem.”

LIEAP is a federally-funded program that helps eligible households pay a portion of their home energy costs by providing a one-time per-year benefit. The 2021 LIEAP application period is from Monday, Jan. 4, 2021, through Wednesday, March 31, 2021. Applications must be received before 5 p.m., March 31, 2021. To find additional information about the LIEAP program and applications, visit http://www.dcf.ks.gov/services/ees/Pages/EnergyAssistance.aspx.

In addition to promoting LIEAP assistance, the following actions are currently being taken to address higher than usual utility costs for Kansans:


• The Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) has instructed utilities under its jurisdiction (Evergy, Liberty, Southern Pioneer, Kansas Gas Service, Black Hills, Atmos, and the city of Eskridge) to defer the extraordinary costs associated with cold weather. (The BPU is not under the KCC’s jurisdiction.)
• Utility companies regulated by the KCC are now required to submit what costs they incurred because of the storm, along with a plan detailing what steps they are taking to mitigate the cost to consumers.
• KCC is working on a plan to spread extra costs out over several months or more to soften the impact on customers.
• Gov. Kelly and the KCC asked the Federal Regulatory Commission to investigate the events that led to a utility shortage and aid the state in protecting consumers from high costs.


The following additional resources are available for Kansans who may struggle to pay their utility bills:


• All KCC regulated utilities are offering payment plans to help customers spread out costs. Kansans should contact their utility provider to explore available options.
• Kansans can find a list of agencies and organizations providing assistance in their area at https://kcc.ks.gov/public-affairs-and-consumer-protection/utility-weatherization-related-assistance-programs.
• Kansans with questions can contact the KCC’s Public Affairs and Consumer Protection Office at 800-662-0027 or 785-271-3140.

Low-income energy assistance program to begin Jan. 4

The Kansas low-income energy assistance program will begin accepting applications on Monday, Jan. 4.

The program provides an annual benefit to help qualifying households pay their winter heating bills. Persons with disabilities, older adults and families with children are the primary groups who are assisted.

In 2020, about 34,000 households received an average benefit of $960, according to the Kansas Department for Children and Families, which offers the program.

“During the cold winter months, it is important that all Kansans have access to the resources they need to heat their homes and ensure their families can stay safe and healthy,” Gov. Laura Kelly said in a news release. “I encourage all those who qualify to apply for this program. My administration is committed to protecting Kansas families now, throughout the pandemic, and into the future.”

“Winters in Kansas have the likelihood of bringing frigid temperatures, add in the financial pressures of the pandemic, it’s especially important this year that families have access to this important service to avoid financial concerns,” DCF Secretary Laura Howard said. “Our staff is prepared to begin processing LIEAP applications, so families have warm homes this winter season.”

To qualify, applicants must be responsible for direct payment of their heating bills. Income eligibility requirements are set at 130 percent of the federal poverty level. The level of benefit varies according to household income, number of people living in the home, type of residence, type of heating fuel and utility rates.  

Applicants need to have made payments on their heating bill two out of the last three months. Those payments must be equal to or exceed $80 or the total balance due on their energy bills, whichever is less. 

Applications for the program have been mailed to households that received energy assistance last year. LIEAP applications are also available at local DCF offices and through partnering agencies starting Jan. 4. They can be requested by calling 1-800-432-0043. To apply online, visit https://cssp.kees.ks.gov/apspssp/sspNonMed.portal. For more information, visit http://www.dcf.ks.gov/services/ees/Pages/EnergyAssistance.aspx.

Applications will be accepted from Jan. 4 to March 31. 

Income eligibility determination:  

Funding for the Low-Income Energy Assistance program is provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Community Service through the Federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program.