LEAP energy bill assistance and weatherization in Colorado.
The Colorado Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) and weatherization are the two main federally funded but state-supervised heating and utility bill resources for low income families. While the money for them comes from the federal government, the applications are accepted at the county level in Colorado. Find phone numbers to apply at below. Cash disbursements are also authorized at each local town and county. You need to apply there.
Working in close partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy and local community action agencies, the state of Colorado offers both LEAP and weatherization services to low-income residents. This provides individuals with the opportunity to get cash grants for paying heating bills, and it will allow people to access free or cost-effective energy efficiency services. Together they offer eligible residents the ability to save money on their energy bills, and can help them pay their current winter heating bills.
Energy, heating bill, and conservation assistance in Colorado
The Colorado LEAP program was not intended to pay someone’s entire home heating costs. If you are applying for assistance from this government program, please be sure to continue to pay your home heating bill while the application is being processed and as you wait for results. Support is only offered for people who are both a U.S. Citizen and of course a resident of Colorado. Your gross monthly income needs to be within the guidelines as set by the state and the federal government, and the more people in your home the higher your income can be. You also need to be responsible for paying heating fuel costs directly to an energy provider, or it needs to be part of your rent.
If your application is approved, then assistance will be disbursed by your local community action agency. It can be provided in the form of a credit on your account. The amount paid out will vary based on the applicant’s heating costs, fuel type, type of dwellings (mobile home, house, apartment, etc.) , and of course their income. However, on average, eligible residents may expect to receive at most $500 from LEAP.
Colorado Crisis Intervention Program is focused on helping those households who need to repair, or maybe even replace, the home's primary heating system or furnace. The application process is the same as above. Call 1-866-432-8435 for details, or your local community action agency.
When someone receives financial assistance from the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program, they will often be signed up for some type of free weatherization as well. This is an all encompassing program that will help improve the energy efficiency of your home. Please note that mobile homes may also be eligible for this federal government program. The cost-effective upgrades and improvements done to your home are focused on reducing your energy usage and will help you save you money while improving the comfort of your home year round.
Renters are also able to apply and benefit from the program. If the landlord agrees to it, people who rent in single-family, multi-family and/or mobile home residences can qualify for the free CEO Weatherization Program as well. The most typical improvements made for mobile homes are installing storm windows and insulation, caulking, skirting insulation, and furnace replacement.
Some additional examples of the weatherization improvements may include additional Insulation in Attics and Walls, Free Furnace Replacement and Tune Ups, Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFL), installing Storm Windows and Doors, Sealing Air Leaks, and more. The program can help Colorado families keep their home cool in the summer as well as warm in the winter, and of course allow people to save money on their heating bills. It can also be offered at the same time as the Colorado Home Heating System Repair/Replacement program.
Applying to LIHEAP low income energy bill assistance grants
Community action agencies partner with the CEO Weatherization Program to administer assistance in towns, cities, and counties across the state. You do need to apply, and there is normally a waiting list for this which is similar to LEAP. Unfortunately the federal government funding is very limited, so only a limited number of homes will benefit from weatherization every year. To learn more or apply, the phone number is 1-866-432-8435. Or find more details on LEAP in Colorado.
After the audit is complete and your home’s needs and appropriate measures are identified, your local community action agency will schedule the service appointment, and all work is done by a highly trained and qualified crew of weatherization technicians. An inspection will occur as well after the fact to ensure everything was completed to program specifications. After the free work has been completed, you will save money on your energy bills and enjoy a more comfortable home.
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