The West Virginia LIHEAP program is a joint initiative by the US federal government and the state of West Virginia that helps supplement the heating and other utility budgets for low-income households in the state of West Virginia. The program makes periodic payments to the utility companies on behalf of its members. Since its introduction the West Virginia LIHEAP has helped thousands of low-income West Virginia households to pay their heating and other utility bills especially in the cold winter season.

The West Virginia LIHEAP program has two components the normal energy assistance component and a crisis component designed to cater for heating emergencies. Usually an applicant qualifies for the crisis component if he or she loses his or her main heating source. The West Virginia LIHEAP is managed by the Department of Family Assistance (DFA), which contracts with the community action network to reach out to the people of West Virginia through a network of local offices.

To be eligible for this program, applicants need to meet a set of eligibility requirement. These eligibility requirements are mainly income and residential based. Other factors considered when determining eligibility for the program includes: type of heating source and total household heating cost.

If you meet the basic eligibility requirements, you should go ahead and apply for the program. Applying for the West Virginia LIHEAP is a fairly easy process that can be done in person or online. Upon successful completion of the application process you will start to enjoy the benefits of the program.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the West Virginia LIHEAP program, applicants need to meet a set of eligibility requirements. These eligibility requirements are mainly based on the income, residence and utility payment status of the applicant and are discussed below:

Regular LIHEAP

To qualify for the regular LIHEAP benefits, applicants for the West Virginia LIHEAP program should meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Their total monthly gross incomes should be within the specified monthly maximum available on this link: www.wvdhhr.org/.pdf (West Virginia LIHEAP Income guidelines)

• In order to be eligible for the West Virginia LIHEAP regular benefits, applicants should be residents of the state of West Virginia and should be US nationals or registered legal aliens.

• In order to be eligible for the West Virginia LIHEAP normal benefits applicants should be vulnerable or partially vulnerable to the cost of home heating.

Eligibility Requirements for Emergency Benefits

• Their main heating source is scheduled to be put off or has already been put off

• If their main heating equipment has malfunctioned

• If their source of fuel has run out

LIHEAP Application Instructions

Applying for the West Virginia LIHEAP is an easy process that can be done online; all you need to do is follow this link: www.wvinroads.org/inroads/ (West Virginia LIHEAP Online Application Portal) and fill out the online application form available on the page. This website also doubles up as a screening tool which you can use to determine whether you are eligible for the program.

Applying In Person

You can also apply for the West Virginia LIHEAP by visiting your local county offices, where you will fill an application form and will be interviewed to determine your eligibility to the program. A list of local West Virginia County offices and their respective contact information is available on this link: www.wvdhhr.org/bcf/county/ (West Virginia LIHEAP Local County Directory)

Upon successful completion of the application process, you will start receiving the West Virginia LIHEAP program benefits.