Missouri's Community Action Agencies work with local weatherization agencies to help individuals at the community level.
In Missouri, low-income residents can apply for multiple home energy programs to help pay their monthly energy bills. Residents may apply for government heating assistance by contacting their local Community Action Agency and providing proof of income, their Social Security numbers and the names of all household members. Missouri's Community Action Agencies can also help residents receive private funding assistance through charitable donations and rate discounts from local utility companies.
Missouri Low Income Energy Assistance Program
The Missouri Low Income Energy Assistance Program helps residents pay for their heating costs. The program's benefits are available between October and March annually. Households must meet the federal poverty guidelines to qualify for assistance. For 2010, a family of four could not earn more than $2,481 monthly and have more than $3,000 in available assets. Both homeowners and renters may apply for assistance if they are responsible for paying their households' heating bills.
Low-Income Weatherization Assistance Program
The U.S. Department of Energy funds the Low-Income Weatherization Assistance Program that provides low-income Missouri residents with weatherization services to improve energy efficiency and reduce their future energy bills. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources administers this program by providing 16 statewide Community Action Agencies with federal grants. Once an applicant completes a weatherization application, the local weatherization agency performs an inspection of the applicant's home to create an energy reduction plan. Families receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Aid to Families with Dependent Children benefits may automatically qualify for weatherization services. Generally, weatherization services are limited to individuals that fall below 200 percent of the federal poverty level or 60 percent of Missouri's poverty level. As of 2009, income levels were capped at $44,100 annually for a family of four.
HeatShare
The Salvation Army administers the HeatShare utility assistance program to households in Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska and South Dakota. The Salvation Army raises funding for this program through private taxpayer contributions. Low-income households and households experiencing a sudden crisis can qualify for assistance. HeatShare provides utility assistance for both air conditioning and heating costs. HeatShare also provides private grants to homeowners that need emergency energy repairs. The funding is available once for the winter heating season and once for the summer air conditioning season. There is no strict guideline for eligibility, but applicants must prove need and provide income statements. Additionally, the elderly and disabled are given priority consideration. HeatShare is only available to households within the participating utility companies' service areas.
Missouri Gas Energy Assistance
The Missouri Gas Energy Company offers heating grants to low-income households. Each household is eligible for one grant annually from November through March. To apply for heating help, the head of the household must provide identification, Social Security cards for each household member, proof of income and a utility bill from the prior month. Approved applicants receive a credit on their utility bills.
Tags: Community Action, Energy Assistance, Action Agencies, Community Action Agencies, Income Energy
