In response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Colorado Department of Human Services Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) has extended its application period through May 31.
“We know low-income families, individuals, older adults on limited incomes and those with disabilities have faced inordinate challenges during the pandemic,” said Theresa Kullen, LEAP manager. “The extension of LEAP’s services will hopefully help to alleviate some of the burden and allow our program to help even more Colorado residents.”
The program normally runs Nov. 1 through April 30, but the current state of affairs has created unusual circumstances, resulting in the extended application period.
Individuals and families are encouraged to submit applications through the end of the month, as applications will be processed as long as funding is available. To access the LEAP application, visit www.colorado.gov/cdhs/LEAP or call the HEAT HELP Hotline at (866) HEAT HELP [(866) 432-8435]. Resources are consolidated through the CO PEAK system for online application submissions.
Nearly 103,000 applications have been processed during the regular LEAP season throughout Colorado’s 64 counties, with an average benefit of $350.
LEAP, which is federally funded, provides onetime heating assistance to individuals, families and older adults to help cover the cost of utility bills. Residents with an annual income up to 60 percent of the state median income and an individual household monthly in- come not exceeding $2,619/month or $5,038/month for a family of four may be eligible for benefits.
For program eligibility, candidates must pay home heating costs directly to a utility company or landlord as part of their rent, meet the gross income limits, be residents of Colorado and contain at least one U.S. citizen or perma- nent legal resident of the U.S. in the household.
For more information, visit the website www.colorado.gov/cdhs/LEAP or call (866) HEAT HELP [(866) 432-8435].