Heating Assistance

There is help available to assist you with your heating bills. Through South Dakota Department of Social Services the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) provides financial assistance to low-income South Dakota households to pay their home heating bills.

There are income limits according to your household size. The following table is a brief summary of the income limits for 2011 - 2012 Heating Season:

Household Size	Max 3-month Income
1 Person	$5,444
2 Persons	$7,354
3 Persons	$9,264
4 Persons	$11,174
5 Persons	$13,084
6 Persons	$14,994
7 Persons	$16,904
8 Persons	$17,611
9 Persons	$17,994
10 Persons	$18,377

There are two assistance programs available:

1. Low Income Energy Assistance
2. Weatherization Assistance

The energy assistance program will help pay for your heating costs. This program may not pay for your entire bill. Energy assistance is based on a first come basis and based on the number of people in your home, total household income for everyone in your home, type and cost of heating and where you live. If you qualify, the payment will be made directly to your energy supplier.

The weatherization assistance program is designed to help low income South Dakota households make their homes more energy efficient. This program is also based on household income. You must qualify for the energy assistance program to be eligible for the weatherization program. With this program funds are limited, so you may be placed on a waiting list. Priority is given to the elderly and handicapped individuals and to families with small children. This program is operated by community agencies.

More Information:

• South Dakota Department of Social Services web site