LIHEAP

EA stands for Energy Assistance.This is the one time a year, lump sum, benefit amount applied to your primary supplier as indicated on your LIHEAP application. The benefit amount varies based on the fuel source for your household (i.e. electric, gas, propane, etc). You must be approved for this amount before you qualify for any additional assistance. 

Refer to the DSS website for more information.

ECIP stands for Emergency Crisis Intervention Program. This refers to the Winter/Summer benefit amounts that are in addition to the EA benefit amounts. You must be approved for the EA benefit before you qualify for these additional funds. You must submit a copy of your utility bill each time you request assistance through this program as ECIP will only pledge on the balance due at the time your request is
processed.

• This is not an automatic utility bill pay program, nor is there an account set up for each household. The funds from the Winter season (November 1 – May 31) do NOT carry over
  to the summer season (June 1 – September 30).
• Funds do not carry over from one program year (November – September) to the next. Refer to the DSS website for more information.

LIHEAP stands for Low Income Housing Energy Assistance Program.

To qualify for LIHEAP assistance, the following requirements must be met:

• Be responsible for paying home heating and cooling costs.
• Be a United States citizen, or have been legally admitted for permanent residence.
• Have $3,000 or less in bank accounts, retirement accounts, or investments.
• Meet specific income guidelines that vary according to household size and fuel type.
  
  Household size – Monthly income
  1 –  $2,370
  2 – $3,099
  3 – $3,829
  4 – $4,558
  5 – $5,287
  6 – $6,016

1. Some of the operations of this application are limited to Adobe Acrobat software and limitations of using PDF formatting.
2. You may complete the application on your phone; however, you will need to have Acrobat Reader fillable forms on IOS.
3. Once you click the submit button, you must save the completed LIHEAP application to your computer or phone.  After saving the application, you will proceed to a page where you’ll be asked to attach the application and other documents.
4. The submitted LIHEAP application will send an encrypted email with the application and any attachments to the agency based on the county the applicant selected. If an application is received from a customer that does not reside in a county serviced by that agency, the application will be sent to the agency that provides assistance for the county were the applicant resides.

Online application – English
Solicitud en línea – español

Mail/Drop off to CMCA Boone Resource Center at 800 N Providence Rd Columbia MO 65203.
Fax to 573-370-1212

• Submit your application and documents through the Department of Social Services
  online website.
• Energy Assistance: https://mydss.mo.gov/utility-assistance/liheap
  
  

**Electronic communications to CMCA outside of DSS online will not be accepted**

• To check the status of your application, call (573) 200-6655, option 1.
• If you need additional assistance, call (573) 200-6655, option 2 and follow the prompts carefully.

Standard processing time takes about 30-45 business days when we have all required information submitted with the application. If there is additional information needed, it can cause delays in processing.

• The LIHEAP program runs from November 1 through September 30 for elderly/disabled applicants. It runs December 1 through September 30 for general public applicants.
• Every household must apply for assistance one time a year, every year. Should any
  information change during the same year you have originally applied, you will be asked to submit a new application.
• Should your original application be denied, you must submit a whole new completed application with all necessary documents again.

When anything changes from the original application you submitted, i.e.

• Your address changes
• Your account number changes
• If your previous application was denied
• Someone moves in/out of your household
• Your utility company changes
• When your legal name changes or bill holder name changes, and more.

Charges that are applied to your utility bill that the LIHEAP program funds cannot cover, such as water, sewer, trash, etc.

• Energy Assistance (EA) one time annual payment can cover any fees that are included in your bill.
• ECIP (energy crisis) funds can cover reconnect fees, late fees, deposits, tank (pressure) tests, off-route delivery fees, rental fees, tank pick-up/removal fees, and sole energy costs. ECIP cannot pay any water, storm water, sewer, or trash fees.

Refer to page 5 of the LIHEAP application that lists all the documents required to process your application.

• You must submit a completed application, including written Social Security numbers for ALL household members on Part 2 of the application, as well as copies of your utility bills.
• 
  Refer to page 5 of the LIHEAP application. You will find a list of documents needed for processing the application, even for those who are actively receiving food stamps.

If your entire household is attesting to receiving no income at all, please complete the Low Income Interview Guide.
Form located under “LIHEAP documents.”

It is required that all utility bills are in the name of at least one household member who is
listed on the application. If not, contact your utility provider to update the name on the account.

• If the bill is in a landlord’s name and you pay your utilities in your rent, or to your landlord directly, provide the Landlord/Renter Documentation Form to your landlord to complete.
  Form located under “LIHEAP Documents.”
• Once your landlord has completed the form, attach  to your LIHEAP application before submitting.
• Households that have their utilities included in their rental payment are not eligible for ECIP assistance.

Each utility company has a different webpage, however there should always be a link or “View your bill” option on your account login page. Once that PDF is downloaded, you can print and mail/fax it into CMCA.

NOTE: Screenshots of text notices that are received will not be accepted. It MUST be a copy of the actual utility bill.

Step 1- You must mail, drop off, or fax your disconnect notice.
Step 2- call (573) 200-6655 and follow the prompts carefully to request escalated processing and review.

Step 1- You must mail, drop off, or fax your disconnect notice.
Step 2- call the Emergency Utility Assistance Line at 573-200-6655 and follow the prompts carefully to request escalated processing and review.

Please read the letter carefully to learn what is needed by the Energy Department to process your request. If you still have questions about what documentation is required, call (573) 200-6655 to request assistance with what is needed to continue processing your application.

The main form of communication from the CMCA Energy Assistance Department will be via letter following the State program requirements.

All appointments must be requested  at (573) 200-6655  and scheduled in the order they are received if requests are approved.

Appointments scheduled are at the discretion of CMCA representatives upon the nature of the request.

NOTE: Appointments may be scheduled in conjunction with referrals to other programs offered by CMCA and will only apply to those household circumstances that are outside standard operating procedure; for example, the applicant has physical challenges in completing an application, requested assistance with another program, has a question on the information request they received from the CMCA Energy Assistance Department, etc.

If for any reason you need additional (utility or otherwise) assistance that the LIHEAP department cannot provide please refer to other county resources at: 
https://sites.google.com/a/showmeaction.org/central-missouri-community-actionarea- resource-guide for more timely assistance.

Once you submit your application and required documents, your application will be reviewed within approximately 30 business days (unless it is considered a crisis for LIHEAP). A letter will be mailed to you that tells you if you qualify for help and the amount you get. 

After you apply, please continue to pay your utility bills if you can so you do not get disconnected or run out of fuel such as propane, wood, or pre-paid electric. The LIHEAP agency is not responsible for your utility bill.