The Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services (SRS) is now accepting applications for the Year 2000 Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP). The federallyfunded energy program provides and annual benefit to help qualifying households pay for home fuel and energy purchases.

This year, the income limits have been raised slightly to provide assistance to additional households who have difficulty paying for basic living costs such as rent and utilities. The change will help the elderly people or people with disabilities who live on low fixed incomes. Some low-income working families may also need the assistance.

In addition, the increased level of funding may help families meet living expenses as they transition from public assistance programs to employment.

In order to qualify, applicants must demonstrate recent utility self-payments. LIEAP applications will be mailed to persons who received assistance last year. Other interested households may request an application by calling toll-free 1-800-432-0043. Applications must be received at the local SRS office by March 3 1.

SRS Secretary Janet Schalansky said the agency is concerned that persons who are elderly, disabled, or those in other low income households may not know this assistance is available. Anyone with income below the following guidelines may apply to receive energy assistance: 

 Last winter, 25,200 Kansas households received LIEAP assistance, 80 percent of them in a household that included an elderly or disabled member.

"LIEAP often helps elderly persons or persons with a disability bridge the gap and remain in independent living situations," said Secretary Schalansky. "The program helps low income families who are attempting to make ends meet, but who have difficulty paying higher utility bills in the winter months."

Low income households typically use about 25 percent of their family income for utility costs, as compared to middle income households which spend only about 4 percent of the family income for energy purchases.

Qualifying households may elect to split the annual LIEAP benefit between two utilities, such as gas and electric companies. This helps provide flexibility to those who would rather use part of their annual benefit to pay summer cooling costs.

Page Last Updated: May 29, 2001