FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 02, 2020

Department of Social Services extends the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program

JEFFERSON CITY, MO –In response to COVID-19, the Department of Social Services is extending the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program from March 31, 2020 to May 31, 2020 for Missourians who have not previously applied. LIHEAP helps low-come Missourians with a one-time payment for their primary heating bills from November through May 31, 2020. To be eligible for the program, low-income Missourians must:

• Be responsible for paying home heating costs,
• Have $3,000 or less in bank accounts, retirement accounts, or investments,
• Have a household income less than 135 percent of the federal poverty level (a monthly income of $2,400 for a family of three or $2,897 for family of four) and,
• Be a U.S. citizen or legally admitted for permanent residence.

 “We want low-income Missourians to utilize LIHEAP to help reduce the financial strain they are facing so those dollars that may have been used for an energy bill can now pay for other essential needs,” said Jennifer Tidball, Acting Director, Department of Social Services. “In addition to LIHEAP, low-income Missourians may also qualify for the Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP) that helps pay fuel bills when a household’s energy is shut off, threatened to be shut off, or if the household is in threat of disconnection, but may not have received a disconnection notice. Although energy providers may not be shutting off utilities at the present time, it is very important for low-income Missourians that have received a notice or know a notice will be coming to get help now to prevent service disconnection at a later date.”   

The amount of Energy Crisis Intervention Program help is based on the amount of money needed to settle a household’s crisis with the energy provider. The maximum amount is $800 for the winter ECIP program that runs from November through May. 

Low-income Missourians can view a short LIHEAP video to learn more about the program. To apply for one or both programs, households just need to complete one application form and then mail or fax the form to the office serving their community listed on last page of the application. 

For Federal Fiscal Year 2019, (October 1, 2018 through September 30, 2019), 114,639 Missouri households received LIHEAP assistance.

For information on Food Stamp, Medicaid, Child Care Subsidy, or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families benefit programs visit dss.mo.gov. Missourians can apply for those services 24/7 online by visiting MyDSS.mo.gov, or sending completed applications and verification documents by email to FSD.Documents@dss.mo.gov, or by fax to 573-526-9400. Missourians who have questions or need assistance can call 855-FSD-INFO or 855-373-4636 Monday through Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The Department of Social Services is committed to serving the needs of Missouri citizens during COVID-19 pandemic.  Information regarding the department’s response to the pandemic is available online https://dss.mo.gov/covid-19.

The mission of the Department of Social Services is to empower Missourians to live safe, healthy, and productive lives.  Visit dss.mo.gov to learn more about the Department of Social Services and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

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