CHARLESTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – The West Virginia Department of Human Services (DoHS) announced that applications for the Emergency Low Income Energy Assistance Program (ELIEAP) will be accepted beginning June 8 and will remain open through June 26, 2026, or until available funding is exhausted.
The federally funded program helps eligible West Virginia residents pay home heating and cooling costs during energy emergencies.
Residents whose primary heating or cooling source is gas or electricity must provide either a termination notice or a past-due utility bill when applying. Households that use bulk fuel or other heating sources may also qualify if fuel supplies are critically low during the application period.
DoHS said households that previously received a direct payment through the regular Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) must verify the funds were used for home heating expenses.
Applicants must submit a current receipt showing payment equal to the amount of LIEAP assistance received. Applications will be denied if payment verification is not provided.
Eligibility is based on household size, income and responsibility for paying heating or cooling costs.
Applicants must also be experiencing an energy emergency that could result in the loss of their primary heating or cooling source if assistance is not provided.
For Fiscal Year 2026, the maximum allowable gross monthly income is set at 60% of the state median income. Income limits include:
- 1-person household: $2,454
- 2-person household: $3,209
- 3-person household: $3,965
- 4-person household: $4,720
- 5-person household: $5,475
- 6-person household: $6,230
- 7-person household: $6,372
- 8-person household: $6,769
- 9-person household: $7,456
- 10-person household: $8,144
For households larger than 10 people, an additional $688 is added for each household member. Households whose countable income exceeds the maximum allowable amount are not eligible for assistance. Certain types of income may be excluded when determining eligibility.
Applications must be submitted in person at a local DoHS office. Applications will be processed while funding remains available. A directory of field offices is available through the West Virginia Department of Human Services.
