Winter Energy, Winter Crisis Assistance and Homeowner Heating System Repairs:

Winter Energy Assistance is a one-time a year assistance to help pay primary heating source bill.

• The winter assistance amount is based on household size, income and the type of fuel used.  

•  Households that have a member that is 60 years of age or older and/or is disabled, program date: November 1 until September 30

•  All other households,  program date: December 1 until September 30.

  1. What does primary heat heat source mean?
     1. The primary heat source is the source of energy that the existing permanently installed heating system uses to heat the home. 
     2. Change:  If the household has multiple fuel types, they can choose the fuel type to pay when they apply.

        MO Energy Assistance Benefit Amounts
        PY2021-2022
        Fuel Type	Benefit Amount
        Natural Gas	$              652
        Tank Propane	$              990
        Electric	$              636
        Fuel Oil	$              652
        Wood	$              438
        Kerosene	$              306
        Cyl. Propane	$              354

How to Apply:

1. On-Line from your Smart phone, desktop, tablet or laptop.

2. Dropbox:  Want to drop off your application at any of our Community Development locations:  Lamar, Anderson, Carthage, Neosho and Joplin

3. Mail: Your utility bill to Economic Security Corporation of SW Area (ESC),  Attn:  Energy Assistance,  P.O. Box 207, Joplin, MO 64802

4. Fax: Your utility bill with a cover page:  To:  ESC's Energy Assistance,  fax number:  (417) 781-2011

5. Call: (417) 781-0352, press 4 or extension 515

6. Email:  liheap@escswa.org and scan or take a picture of your application and requested documentation.

Eligiblility:

• 60% of Missouri's SMI Guidelines
• Pay for your heating bill

Winter Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP) Season

BIG CHANGE:

The Winter ECIP is designed to provide financial assistance to households in a verifiable energy crisis.  It is primarily used to restore or prevent disconnection of service (ie. shut-off notice) for at least thirty (30) days.  EA benefit amounts have doubled.

What does a Winter Energy Crisis mean (This is an updated changed as of 11.16.2021)?

• A sudden, unexpected, uncontrollable loss of financial resources, or
• Life-threatening conditions (utility services disconnected or fuel is depleted), or
• Any circumstance that threatens the stability if energy aid is not supplied.

Winter Crisis Eligibility:

1. Households that have a member that is 60 years of age or older and/or is disabled, program starts on November 1.
2. All other households the program starts on December 1.
3. Program will end when program funds have been expended.
4. Must meet the crisis definition above (please note this is a change).
5. Can assist homeowner's with repair/replacement of heating unit.
6. Can apply for "Crisis" funds multiple times,  up to the maximum benefit amount of $1,600.