Limited funds still are available for low-income Kansans unable to pay their winter heating bills, but today is the deadline to apply for them.
To be eligible, applications must be received today at the local Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services office, 1901 Del.
Applications for the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program are available at SRS offices, most social service agencies or by calling (800) 432-0043.
Applications will be processed on a first-come, first-serve basis.
To be eligible, an applicant's household income must be below 130 percent of the federal poverty guideline, which for three months is at or below $2,714 for one person, $3,656 for two, $4,599 for three or $5,541 for four.
Applicants can expect to hear from SRS on the status of their application and available funding by May 15.
"We encourage anyone having difficulty paying their utility bill to contact their utility provider and negotiate a payment plan," said SRS spokeswoman Stacey Herman. "The threat of a household disconnect is much less likely if the household is making regular partial payments."
As of March 20, Kansas had paid out $12.5 million in LIEAP benefits to 22,000 households, Herman said. Almost 12,000 applications still are pending.
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