WV Department of Human Services Announces Emergency Energy Assistance Program

In a recent press release, the West Virginia Department of Human Services (DoHS) announced that applications for the Emergency Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) are being accepted from Monday, July 28 through Friday, August 8, 2025, or until funds are exhausted.

This program helps low-income families in West Virginia who are facing an energy emergency. This might include help with cooling costs, but applications for cooling costs will be reviewed individually.

To qualify:

• Households using gas or electric must present a termination (or shut-off) notice when applying.
• Households using bulk fuels such as propane, fuel oil, kerosene, wood, or coal must show that their supply is low when you apply.
• Households that have already received a regular LIEAP payment for one of those bulk fuels must provide a receipt or proof showing that the LIEAP payment was actually used to purchase that fuel.

Eligibility for Emergency LIEAP payments is determined based on household income, household size, and whether the household is actually responsible for paying the utility costs.

In emergency situations, all applicants must meet in person with a DoHS worker and discuss your situation. The maximum allowable gross income levels to qualify for LIEAP in fiscal year 2025 varies depending on the number of people actually living in your household, so contact a worker at the DoHS to determine if your household qualifies. This is especially important because some types of income may be exempt from counting against you to qualify.

To formerly apply for this, West Virginia residents must go to their local DoHS office, which in Pocahontas County is 211 Valhalla Lane, Marlinton. The phone number for that office is 304-799-2540, and that office is open from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm from Monday through Friday. If you are in doubt whether your household qualifies or how much you can receive, call them. Again, their local phone number is 304-799-2540.