Heat-Bill Help Is Back: Wyoming Restarts LIEAP Approvals After Funding Boost

With input from the Sheridan Media and Oil City News.

Wyoming’s main heating assistance program is back in business.

The Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) has restarted approving applications effective immediately, after getting a fresh $9.6 million shot of federal money from the US Department of Health and Human Services.

LIEAP had been on pause since Oct. 15 because of the federal government shutdown and a lapse in funding. That freeze left a lot of Wyoming families in limbo just as winter started to settle in.

Now, with funding restored, the Wyoming Department of Family Services — which runs LIEAP — says staff are already working through the backlog.

Applicants will start seeing approval or denial notices by email or regular mail, including how much help they’ll get if they qualify.

LIEAP helps eligible Wyoming households pay part of their winter heating bills, whether they use:

• Natural gas;
• Electricity;
• Propane;
• Coal;
• Wood;
• Or other heating fuels.

The program also offers crisis assistance for heating emergencies, like:

• A broken furnace;
• An empty fuel tank;
• A shutoff notice or pending utility disconnection.

Both homeowners and renters can qualify — including people living in permanently parked RVs.

To qualify, households must meet income requirements up to 60% of the state’s median income.

For example:

• A family of four must have an annual income of $68,902 or less.

Priority goes to households that include:

• Seniors age 60 or older;
• People with disabilities;
• Families with children under 5.

LIEAP also offers a one-time extra benefit for seasonal LIEAP recipients who run into unexpected heating-related costs.

LIEAP is now accepting applications for the 2025–2026 heating season through April 30, 2026.

You can:

• Apply online: lieapwyo.org;
• Call for help or questions: 1-800-246-4221.

Last season, LIEAP distributed about $6.1 million in benefits to help 8,236 Wyoming households keep the heat on.

With $9.6 million now in the pipeline, thousands more are expected to get help staying warm this winter.

For more details or printable info, visit lieapwyo.org and check out the program flyer.