Missouri Utility Assistance Benefits Increase

The not-for-profit North East Community Action Corporation (NECAC) has joined Missouri in announcing that funding for utility assistance has doubled.

The new maximum benefit amounts for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) vary depending upon the type of utility used. For natural gas, it’s $652; electricity, $636; tank propane, $990; fuel oil, $652; wood, $438; kerosene, $306; and cylinder propane, $354.

People who received help starting Oct. 1 are eligible for the increase. If assistance has already been issued, a new benefit will be offered to cover the additional amount.

In addition, the maximum benefit amount through the Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP) has doubled to $1,600 from $800. The summer portion will be $1,200, up from $600.

“This is great news for our clients,” said NECAC LIHEAP Supervisor Angela Kattenbraker. “This will make a big difference for families and individuals who are struggling with rising utility costs.”

LIHEAP assists with paying part of the energy bills of people who qualify by income, household size and type of heating source. Payments are made directly to utility companies. ECIP offers assistance to qualifying households. They no longer have to have a utility shut-off notice.

Clients must be within 60 percent of state median income guidelines. For a one-person household, the cut off is $2,211 per month; two-person, $2,891; three-person, $3,571; four-person, $4,252; five-person, $4,932; six-person, $5,612.

More information is available by calling the NECAC Lewis County Service Center, 408 S. Fourth in Canton, at 573-288-3969.

NECAC is contractually-required to state the following: This program is funded 100 percent at $2,440,475.75 with federal funds from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) provided by the Missouri Department of Social Services, Family Support Division.