Energy Services
Green Hills Community Action Agency's Energy Services Program is responsible for developing, coordinating and implementing programs related to energy conservation and education. The department also manages the operation of the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and coordinates with the agency’s Weatherization Department to identify potential customers, enhance partnerships with area utilities and provide energy educational opportunities. The mission of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is to assist low income households, particularly those with the lowest incomes that pay a high proportion of household income for home energy, primarily in meeting their immediate home energy needs.
Please note: incomplete applications, or applications missing required documentation, cannot be processed until everything requested by our processors has been provided.
ENERGY ASSISTANCE APPLICATION
(Solicitud en Español)
NO WINTER PAYMENTS WILL BE ISSUED UNTIL AFTER NOVEMBER 1ST (ELDERLY/DISABLED) AND DECEMBER 1ST FOR ALL OTHER HOUSEHOLDS.
Release of Information Form
Is your utility bill in your landlord's name? Landlord/Renter Agreement
Do you heat with wood or pellets? Wood Vendor Form
No income received within the prior month? Zero Income Form
Please note: incomplete applications, or applications missing required documentation, cannot be processed until everything requested by our processors has been provided.
ENERGY ASSISTANCE APPLICATION
(Solicitud en Español)
NO WINTER PAYMENTS WILL BE ISSUED UNTIL AFTER NOVEMBER 1ST (ELDERLY/DISABLED) AND DECEMBER 1ST FOR ALL OTHER HOUSEHOLDS.
Release of Information Form
Is your utility bill in your landlord's name? Landlord/Renter Agreement
Do you heat with wood or pellets? Wood Vendor Form
No income received within the prior month? Zero Income Form
|
Return via Mail
GHCAA c/o LIHEAP 1506 Oklahoma Ave Trenton, MO 64683 |
Return via Fax
844-503-1872 660-359-2038 660-359-6619 |
Return via eMail
[email protected] |
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)No appointments are necessary to apply for EA (Energy Assistance), a client visits, calls, emails, or faxes our office requesting energy assistance, completes an application each year, and provides the required supporting documents (such as proof of income, copies of social security cards, and utility bills). Applications are categorized based on the severity of the applicant’s emergency - households with shut-off notices are given priority over those who are not in imminent danger of disconnection.
Once the paperwork is received, our processors go to work entering the required information into a state maintained computer program which calculates if the applicant qualifies and what the amount of their energy benefit will be. Once the application is processed and verified, the LIHEAP processors at GHCAA notify the utility company with a “pledge” that the awarded EA amount will be paid. The state takes the lead from there, contacting the applicant’s utility company, who must then confirm the applicant as a customer, once confirmed, the State of Missouri (not our office) will cut an energy assistance check and mail it directly to the vendor. |
Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP)The ECIP program provides payment of energy bills when an eligible household is disconnected or threatened with disconnection. ECIP (Energy Crisis Intervention Program) funds are emergency monies provided to households who have already been approved for EA and currently have a new or secondary disconnection notice.
Pledges are submitted in the case of an ECIP as well, with our agency's processors contacting utility companies in the mid-afternoon, generally around 4pm - 5pm. ECIP checks are then processed, cut, and mailed out by GHCAA directly to utility companies. To qualify for ECIP funds, a household must be approved for Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) and submit a copy of a shut off notice for natural gas, electric, etc, or fall below 25% in a propane tank. Additional paperwork may be required if you use a wood vendor or wood pellets. If in doubt, please feel free to contact our office by calling 855-290-8544 and hit "0" to reach a live operator. |
Reminders
Understanding LIHEAP (Energy Assistance)
Winter assistance begins processing payments November 1st for the elderly or disabled (applications are available/sent out in the mail around mid-September), and December 1st for all other households. No funds will be available for utility assistance prior to those dates. If you have questions regarding this program, please contact the agency at 855-290-8544 and hit 0 for an operator.
What Do You Need When You Apply?
IF EVERYONE IN YOUR HOME RECEIVES FOOD STAMPS -
IF NO ONE/ONLY SOME IN YOUR HOME RECEIVE FOOD STAMPS -
SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION -
- You MUST fill out a new application, every winter season, even if you have received this service before.
- Social security numbers for every member of your household need to be fully and legibly written out on the application.
- You MUST turn in all requested supporting documents even if you've had LIHEAP before. Copies of Social Security cards, income, and etc. are not kept "on file" from year to year. It is your responsibility to provide our office with these documents each year.
- Primary AND secondary heating sources MUST be listed on the application and a bill included for EACH. Electricity must be listed as your secondary heating source if you use ANY OTHER HEATING SOURCE AT ALL (propane, wood, natural gas, etc).
- Leaving a voicemail is VERY important during LIHEAP season: messages should be short, to-the-point, and limited to your name, a working phone number, and a brief message. If in doubt, hit 0 for a receptionist. Phone messages are checked by staff and returned throughout the day. Please DO NOT leave multiple messages per day, your call WILL BE returned as soon as possible.
- Our agency and employees are NOT able to contact your utility company, pledge payment, or postpone a shut-off until all paperwork is complete.
- Applications are processed in the order they are received (with the exception of crisis cases). Most applications will be processed the day AFTER they are received in this office, but our staff has up to 30 working days to process non-crisis cases and up to 48 hours to process cases in which service has already been disconnected. Please plan for this accordingly.
- It is YOUR responsibility to contact your utility company to see if you have a remaining balance that must be paid after or before we can make a pledge. Never assume your entire bill has been paid. Energy Assistance funds cannot be used to pay utility deposits, water, sewer, trash, cable, internet, or phone bills.
- Our staff reserves the right to end any phone conversation or in-person interaction that becomes abusive, whether verbally (yelling, cursing, name calling, etc.) or physically (invasion of space, pushing, poking, etc).
Winter assistance begins processing payments November 1st for the elderly or disabled (applications are available/sent out in the mail around mid-September), and December 1st for all other households. No funds will be available for utility assistance prior to those dates. If you have questions regarding this program, please contact the agency at 855-290-8544 and hit 0 for an operator.
What Do You Need When You Apply?
IF EVERYONE IN YOUR HOME RECEIVES FOOD STAMPS -
- Completed and signed LIHEAP Application.
- Copy of your primary heating bill or a letter from the company stating you are a customer (must show your name, address, and account number).
IF NO ONE/ONLY SOME IN YOUR HOME RECEIVE FOOD STAMPS -
- Completed and signed LIHEAP Application.
- Copy of your primary heating bill or a letter from the company stating you are a customer (must show your name, address, and account number).
- Copies of social security cards for EVERY member of your household who does not receive food stamps.
- Proof of income for EVERY member of your household over the age of 18 from the prior month. On occasion, the state system will return previous employment records from within the previous 6 months. If this occurs, you may be required to submit letters from previous employers stating you are no longer employed with them and the last date of your employment.
SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION -
- You can send in your application to our office via email ([email protected]), postal mail (GHCAA c/o LIHEAP, 1506 Oklahoma Ave, Trenton, MO 64683), fax (1-844-503-1872), or in person drop-off.
- If our office requires additional paperwork, information, or clarification, you will be issued a letter like this:
If/when you receive this letter in the mail - do not panic. Pay attention ONLY to the highlighted portion of the form.
All this form means is that we need a bit of extra information of some sort from you. Details will be highlighted on the form. You are not required to complete the entire form. If you need longer than the allotted 10 days to return the requested information, just call us (855-290-8544) and let us know.
Failure to provide proper documentation and application forms will result in a delay in the processing of your assistance.
All this form means is that we need a bit of extra information of some sort from you. Details will be highlighted on the form. You are not required to complete the entire form. If you need longer than the allotted 10 days to return the requested information, just call us (855-290-8544) and let us know.
Failure to provide proper documentation and application forms will result in a delay in the processing of your assistance.
Winter vs. Summer Assistance -
LIHEAP offers assistance during both the winter months and the summer months.
Winter:
Summer:
Winter:
- Begins November 1st each year for the elderly and/or disabled.
- Begins December 1st each year for all other households.
- Every household MUST reapply annually.
- New application period closes March 31st.
Summer:
- New application period begins June 1st.
- If you were approved for Winter EA, and have NOT moved, you DO NOT need to fill out a new application.
- If you HAVE MOVED since you were approved for Winter EA, you WILL need to fill out a new application.
- Summer assistance can ONLY be used for electric bills with a current shut-off notice.
LIHEAP FAQ
How can I apply for help with my utility bill?
Step 1 Fill out and then print the Heating & Cooling Assistance application, you can find it online mydss.mo.gov/utility-assistance/liheap
Step 2 Sign your name in blue or black ink.
Step 3 Send or take your completed application to the office that serves your community.
To find that office, see the last page on the application instructions or call the FSD INFO LINE at 1-855-373-4636.
A person with a disability or over age 60 lives in my home. When can I apply and expect payment?
You can apply starting October 1st. Payments to utility companies begin November 1.
No one disabled or over 60 lives in my home. When can I apply and expect payment?
You can apply starting November 1. Payments to utility companies begin December 1.
How will I know if I am approved?
Approval letters will begin to go out in November. If your application is denied, you will receive a notice soon after your application so that you have a chance to reapply.
How will I know if I am NOT approved?
If your application is denied, you will soon get a notice so that you have a chance to reapply.
What should I do if I moved after I submitted my application?
Contact the agency where you submitted your application and tell them you moved. You will need to complete a new application with your new address and submit it and a copy of the fuel bill which shows your new address. Check where you should send your application, it may need to go to a new location.
Once I am approved, do I need to complete another application to get more help?
A new application is needed only if you have moved or changed your main heating source.
Do I fill out an application every time I bring in a disconnect notice?
No. A new application is needed only if you have moved or changed your main heating source.
Do I fill out an application in June for the summer crisis program?
The summer program can only assist you if your electric is in threat of disconnection or already shut off. You do not need to complete an application if you received energy assistance the previous winter. If you have moved, you will need to complete a new application.
I heat my home with electric heaters and use propane/gas only for cooking, can I claim electric as my heating source?
No.
I mailed in my application with all requested information, how long will it take to process my application?
Applications are processed within 30 days, unless you have a disconnect notice or are already shut off.
Step 1 Fill out and then print the Heating & Cooling Assistance application, you can find it online mydss.mo.gov/utility-assistance/liheap
Step 2 Sign your name in blue or black ink.
Step 3 Send or take your completed application to the office that serves your community.
To find that office, see the last page on the application instructions or call the FSD INFO LINE at 1-855-373-4636.
A person with a disability or over age 60 lives in my home. When can I apply and expect payment?
You can apply starting October 1st. Payments to utility companies begin November 1.
No one disabled or over 60 lives in my home. When can I apply and expect payment?
You can apply starting November 1. Payments to utility companies begin December 1.
How will I know if I am approved?
Approval letters will begin to go out in November. If your application is denied, you will receive a notice soon after your application so that you have a chance to reapply.
How will I know if I am NOT approved?
If your application is denied, you will soon get a notice so that you have a chance to reapply.
What should I do if I moved after I submitted my application?
Contact the agency where you submitted your application and tell them you moved. You will need to complete a new application with your new address and submit it and a copy of the fuel bill which shows your new address. Check where you should send your application, it may need to go to a new location.
Once I am approved, do I need to complete another application to get more help?
A new application is needed only if you have moved or changed your main heating source.
Do I fill out an application every time I bring in a disconnect notice?
No. A new application is needed only if you have moved or changed your main heating source.
Do I fill out an application in June for the summer crisis program?
The summer program can only assist you if your electric is in threat of disconnection or already shut off. You do not need to complete an application if you received energy assistance the previous winter. If you have moved, you will need to complete a new application.
I heat my home with electric heaters and use propane/gas only for cooking, can I claim electric as my heating source?
No.
I mailed in my application with all requested information, how long will it take to process my application?
Applications are processed within 30 days, unless you have a disconnect notice or are already shut off.