Low Income Assistance

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Low Income Energy Assistance Program “LIEAP”

Places to Apply

• Community Action Partnership
  214 Main St
  Kalispell, MT 59901
  Phone: 406-758-5433 or 800-344-5979
• Community Action Partnership
  933 Farm to Market Rd, Suite B
  Libby, MT 59923
  Phone: 406-293-2712

A portion of your home heating costs, as well as some emergency needs, may be met through LIEAP.  Benefits are applied to the members’ primary heat source. (electric, gas, wood, propane, etc.) for the winter heating months of October thru April. The member is responsible for usage prior to October 1st, as well as bills in excess of the LIEAP benefit amount.

To be eligible, Co-op members must meet federal low-income guidelines based on gross income and the number of persons in the home. The current guidelines are $22,293 for one person, $29,153 for two, $36,012 for three, and $42,872 for four people.

LIEAP is funded by Federal and State government agencies (this is not welfare). Eligibility is based on gross income from all household members and the value of their resources. Primary home, vehicles and personal property are excluded. Benefit amounts are determined by total income and the number of household members, type of fuel used and size, type, and location of the home. Payment processing may take 6 to 8 weeks.

More Information: Energy Assistance by Montana Department of Public Health & Human Services

Energy Share of Montana

Apply at: Community Action Partnership (same as LIEAP Address above)

Energy Share benefits are a one-time grant to alleviate a temporary heating emergency. Eligibility is not based solely on income but also on the extenuating circumstances the household is facing.

Applications are accepted year-round. Applicants must first apply for LIEAP during the LIEAP season and have a delinquent bill before Energy Share will be considered.

A local Committee meets weekly between October and June to review each application and make the final decisions on awarding benefits. Often applicants are required to pay a portion of the bill before Energy Share will help. The local Committee considers income, expenses, emergency situation, payment history on account and other factors when determining the benefit amount.

Contribute to Energy Share

Energy Share is funded mostly through private and corporate donations with some state funding. To contribute to Energy Share of Montana please visit the Energy Share of Montana Website.

50% Basic Charge Waiver Program

Apply at: Community Action Partnership (same as LIEAP Address above)

To be eligible for this program, residential members must be qualified as low-income according to the federal guidelines set by LIEAP. The LIEAP applications may be submitted between October 1 and April 30 each year.

Eligible members will receive a credit equal to half the basic charge on their bill each month for up to twelve months. The credit begins in the month we receive notice from the LIEAP office of eligibility and continues through the September billing. In most cases this would be a credit of $11.36 per month.

All recipients of this program must reapply each year.