*Missouri Governor Michael L. Parson*

Office of Communications

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*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*

February 16, 2021

*Governor Parson Announces Improved Home Heating Bill Assistance Through LIHEAP Energy Crisis Intervention Program*

*(JEFFERSON CITY, MO)* Today, Governor Parson announced that the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program [ [link removed] ] (LIHEAP) Energy Crisis Intervention Program will improve assistance offered to eligible low-income Missourians.

We are very pleased to announce this improvement to the Energy Crisis Intervention Program, especially given the extreme winter weather our state is currently facing, *Governor Parson* said. Since many Missourians remain in crisis for subsequent months, paying only the minimum to keep a low-income household out of crisis tends to prolong the situation. Now, we can make it faster and easier to resolve a households crisis situation.

When a households energy source has been shut off or is at risk of disconnection, the winter Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP), which runs November through May, pays the minimum amount needed on the fuel bill to get the household out of crisis. Starting this winter, ECIP will pledge the maximum disconnect amount (up to $800) toward an eligible participants owed balance.

Winter can be especially harsh for low-income Missourians, and we must do all that we can to assure they can heat their homes to remain safe and healthy, said *Missouri Department of Social Services Acting Director Jennifer Tidball*.

In FY2020, Missouri provided $78.6 million in LIHEAP assistance to over 108,000 households. In addition to meeting the income criteria, low-income Missourians must also meet the following criteria to be eligible for winter heating assistance through LIHEAP:


* Be responsible for paying home heating costs,
* Have $3,000 or less in bank accounts, retirement accounts, or investments, and
* Be a U.S. citizen or legally admitted for permanent residence.

It is very important for low-income Missourians who have received a disconnect notice or know a disconnect notice is coming to get help now to prevent service disconnection at a later date. To learn more about the LIHEAP program, view this short video [ [link removed] ]. Missourians can submit the LIHEAP application form [ [link removed] ] online.

Missourians in need of information on LIHEAP, Food Stamp, Medicaid, Child Care Subsidy, or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families benefit programs can visit dss.mo.gov [ [link removed] ]. Individuals can also apply for these services 24/7 online by visiting MyDSS.mo.gov [ [link removed] ].

Missourians with questions not specific to an individuals case can use the DSS Virtual Assistant [ [link removed] ] for immediate answers to basic questions 24 hours a day. Phone assistance is also available, call 855-FSD-INFO or 855-373-4636 Monday through Friday 6:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Saturday8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The Missouri Services Navigator [ [link removed] ] also has information on over 2,800 programs and services available in the state.

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*Contact: Kelli R. Jones*

Communications Director

Work: 573-751-0765

Mobile: 573-508-9072

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.governor.mo.gov


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This email was sent to [email protected] using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Office of Governor Michael L. Parson PO Box 720 Jefferson City, MO 65102 (573) 751-3222 GovDelivery logo [ [link removed] ]