Kansas LIHEAP, known as the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) within the state, is a federally funded assistance program that helps qualifying households pay a portion of home energy costs with a lump sum payment. In Kansas, energy assistance is limited to the coldest months of the year, typically from January to March on a first come first serve basis. By providing assistance to qualifying Kansas residents, the state safeguards the health and wellness of citizens.
If you need utility assistance and you are a low income Kansas resident, it is important to familiarize yourself with the programs benefits, including when benefits can be applied for and how to submit an application, including the documentation that you will need to provide. Additionally, you are strongly encouraged to review eligibility requirements in order to determine whether you and your household may qualify for LIEAP benefits.
Learn About Types of LIHEAP Energy Assistance in Kansas
Heating assistance is provided in Kansas in order to protect the health and wellness of low income residents, especially those who are considered the most vulnerable, such as senior citizens, young children and persons with disabilities. LIEAP is a low income home energy assistance program that provides qualifying households with a onetime payment that helps offset the cost of heating utility bills in the coldest months of the year. Kansas LIEAP benefits do not cover the full amount of heating related expenses that a household is expected to have for the winter season, but the amount can generally make utility bills more manageable.
Before you apply for LIHEAP, it is important to know that it usually takes a lengthy amount of time for an application to be processed. However, if you and your family are experiencing a crisis and facing the potential disconnection of your heat, the program may be able to expedite the processing of your application in order to attempt to intervene with a onetime payment. This is considered emergency assistance and to qualify, your household must have received a disconnection notice from your utility. However, it is important to know that if you receive emergency assistance, you will not be eligible to receive general assistance for the year and vice versa.
If approved for the LIHEAP program in Kansas, you can expect your benefits to be applied directly to your utility account. Onetime payments are not provided to a household directly but rather paid to the utility to be deposited onto a utility account. Account balances are then used for the payment of past due, current and future heating costs.
Learn more about the types of LIHEAP assistance available by downloading our free guide.
What are the Kansas LIHEAP requirements?
Before you apply for utility bill assistance for low income families through Kansas LIEAP, it is important to review the eligibility requirements that must be met before benefits can be issued to a household. By reviewing these qualifications, you will be better prepared for your application process and you may be able to determine whether or not your household will qualify to receive benefits.
Kansas LIHEAP can only be provided to residents of the state and any applications that are received from a nonresident will be denied. Furthermore, each member of a household must either be a United States citizen or a legal alien in order to potentially qualify to receive benefits from the program.
LIHEAP income guidelines are set by the state and are based upon the federal poverty line. Reassessed each year, these income limits are set by household size with greater limits given to larger households. In order to receive benefits, a household’s income cannot exceed the limit that is given for the household size.
As stated previously, heating assistance can only be provided to a household once per year. If your household has already received benefits this year, you will not be eligible to receive further benefits until next year.
How to Apply for LIHEAP in Kansas
You can submit a LIHEAP application online in Kansas while applications are accepted. This provides residents with a convenient way to apply for benefits as residents will not be required to visit a LIEAP office in person in order to apply. In addition to an online application, households have the option of completing a physical application and submitting that application by mail, by email or by fax. Lastly, applications are also accepted in person at LIEAP offices throughout the state.
When applying for LIHEAP, it is important to understand that you must submit documentation alongside your application in order to avoid the delay and potential denial of your application. The following documents are required if you are seeking benefits from Kansas LIEAP:
- Proof of income for anyone living in the residence.
- If applicable, a VA award letter, SSA/SSI award letter or pension award letter.
- A copy of your most recent fuel bill.
- Proof of child supports received or the court order, if applicable.
- If you live in subsidized housing, you must provide a copy of your rental agreement.
- A disconnect letter from your utility, if applying for emergency assistance.
Heating assistance applications can only be accepted January through March each year. Applications that are received outside of this time frame will not be processed and benefits will not be provided.
Find out more on the LIHEAP application process in our comprehensive guide.
How much could LIHEAP pay in Kansas?
If approved for energy assistance in Kansas, it is important to know that your potential benefits will vary based on several factors, including:
- Household income.
- The number of people living in the residence.
- The type of dwelling the residence is.
- The type of heating fuel the residence uses.
As stated previously, heating assistance benefits are not provided directly to qualifying applicants. Instead, payments are made directly to the utility to be applied on a household’s account. This benefit amount can then be used towards the payment of current, past due and future bills.
How can I check the status of my LIHEAP application?
After you apply for LIHEAP in Kansas, your application may take between 30 and 45 days to process, unless you submitted an emergency application. Should you wish to check the status of an application at this time, you can contact Kansas LIEAP at 800-432-0043. In addition to having the option to inquire about your application status by phone, most applicants will receive a notice regarding their eligibility for benefits as well as the amount of benefits that the household is awarded.