WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT LEAP ENERGY

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT LEAP ENERGY OUTREACH COLORADO

OVERVIEW What will we cover today? • • • 3 What is it? Who should apply? Why is it important? How to apply LEAP verification Common pitfalls ENERGY OUTREACH COLORADO

LEAP What is it? • • • 4 LEAP = Low-Income Energy Assistance Program Offers home heating bill assistance November 1 through April 30 Federally-funded subsidy program run by the State of Colorado Provides one benefit per heating season LEAP and EOC are separate organizations that complement each other ENERGY OUTREACH COLORADO

LEAP Who should apply? Anyone applying for EOC who meets the following basic qualifications: ü Permanent, legal resident of the United States and a Colorado resident ü Pays home heating costs directly to a utility/fuel vendor or as part of rent* ü Gross monthly household income at or below 60% state median income *Not eligible if rent is subsidized and heat is included in rent. ENERGY OUTREACH COLORADO

LEAP Why is it important? LEAP is a prerequisite or income qualifier for the following programs: • • Crisis Intervention Program (CIP) Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP) program for customers of: o o • • 6 Atmos Black Hills (BHEAP) Colorado Natural Gas Xcel (EAP/GAP) Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) Colorado’s Property Tax/Rent/Heat Credit (PTC) rebate ENERGY OUTREACH COLORADO

LEAP How to Apply Three ways to apply: q Phone: Call the HEAT HELP line at (866) 432 -8435 q Online: www. colorado. gov/peak q Email, mail or fax • Download an application from https: //www. colorado. gov/pacific/cdhs/leap • Send to the LEAP processor for that county, using the contact list on the LEAP website 7 ENERGY OUTREACH COLORADO

PITFALLS Common reasons why an application might be denied • Missing required signature(s): o Affidavit on pg. 3 (all applicants who meet residency requirement must sign) o Signature & Consent on pg. 4 (all applicants must sign) • Failure to provide required documentation • No response to Question E on pg. 2 if expenses exceed income: o E. How did you pay for these following costs if your household income does not cover your basic living expenses? 8 ENERGY OUTREACH COLORADO

FOR MORE INFORMATION Visit the LEAP Website https: //cdhs. colorado. gov/leap 9 ENERGY OUTREACH COLORADO

QUESTIONS? Get in Touch Enrique Hernandez Program Manager Katharine Keenan Program Coordinator energyassistance@energyoutreach. org 10 ENERGY OUTREACH COLORADO