The federal government has money to help pay heating costs. See if you’re eligible.
Money approved by Congress last year to help families navigate the COVID-19 pandemic could provide extra support for some people in Kansas City looking to keep warm this Winter.
Missouri and Kansas get an annual appropriation for federal energy assistance — $75.1 million and $33.3 million respectively — which helps people pay for one energy source or can help pay for services like blankets or lodging in an emergency.
This year, there’s an additional $103.8 million for Missouri and $38.8 million for Kansas because of funding in the American Rescue Plan, which passed Congress in March on a party-line vote.
Who’s eligible?
Any U.S. citizen responsible for paying the utilities in their home and has less than $3,000 in bank accounts, retirement accounts and investments is eligible. Anyone who qualifies for other benefit programs like SNAP, supplemental security income and temporary assistance for needy families automatically eligible.
There are also income guidelines. In Missouri, a single-person household would have to make less than $26,531 a year. A household of four would have to make less than $51,021 and a household of six would have to make less than $67,348.
In Kansas, a single person-household would have to make less than $16,744 a year. A household of four would have to make less than $34,450 a year and a household of six would have to make less than $46,254 a year.
What can I use the money for?
There are two ways the money is distributed.
The first is a lump sum to the heat supplier to help pay for one fuel source the household relies on (options include natural gas, tank propane, electric, wood, cylinder propane, fuel oil and kerosene). The amount varies based on household income, the cost of the utility, the number of people in the house and which type of fuel is being used.
There is also a money that helps in a crisis, like if you have a sudden unexpected and uncontrollable loss of income or are in a life-threatening situation. The money can be used to provide emergency services like blankets, temporary lodging and heating replacement or repair. There is a maximum of $1,600 per household.
How can I get the money?
There is a five-page application that can either be submitted online or printed out and mailed to the organization that approves the money.
In Missouri, the online application is available at https://mydss.mo.gov/utility-assistance. For Jackson, Clay and Platte County the application can be mailed to the Mid America Assistance Coalition at 4001 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr., Suite 270, Kansas City, MO 64130-2350.
In Kansas, the online application is available at http://www.dcf.ks.gov/services/ees/Pages/EnergyAssistance.aspx. For the Kansas City area, the application can be mailed to the local Department for Children and Families office at 8915 Lenexa Drive, Overland Park, KS 66214.
People in Missouri can call the Mid America Assistance Coalition for additional help at 816-768-8900 and people in Kansas can call the Department for Children and Families at 1-800-432-0043.
When will I get the money?
Once the application is submitted, it will be reviewed in 30 business days. A letter will eventually say whether you qualified for help and how much money you’ll get.