Denver Offers Assistance With Home Heating Costs

With winter fast approaching, Denver Human Services is inviting qualifying residents to apply for the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP). This statewide program helps eligible residents pay for some of their home heating or heating system repair costs during the cold winter months.

“Families are facing difficult health and economic challenges this year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Denver Human Services Executive Director Don Mares. “The Low-Income Energy Assistance Program is another way we can support our community through this crisis and help those in need stay safe, warm, and well.”

LEAP is available for qualifying households through April 30, 2021, and residents can request an application by calling 1-866-HEAT-HELP (432-8435), or visit www.denvergov.org/LEAP to complete the application online.

Photo: Colorado State Dept. Human Services
The statewide Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) helps eligible Colorado residents pay for some of their home heating or heating system repair costs during winter months.

LEAP is a federally funded program that is open to both homeowners and renters. The program is not designed to pay the entire cost of home heating, but it can alleviate some of the burden by providing partial assistance with energy bills and furnace or wood-burning stove repairs or replacements. During the 2019/2020 season, 7,973 Denver residents received help through the program.

To qualify for LEAP, applicants must have a gross monthly income of no more than 60 percent of Colorado’s Area Median Income ($2,619 for an individual or $5,038 for a family of four). They must also be responsible for paying heating costs and be a U.S. citizen or legal resident, or belong to a household with a legal resident.

In addition to LEAP, residents may also qualify for other assistance programs:

Denver Human Services’ Emergency Assistance, which helps qualifying Denver residents with evictions, rental and mortgage assistance, first month’s rent and deposit assistance, and help with some energy bills.

Denver Human Services’ TANF Disaster Assistance, which helps qualifying Denver families who have been financially impacted by COVID-19. Designed to aid those who don’t qualify for other benefits, this program assists residents with at least one child at home who have annual incomes up to $75,000.

Energy Outreach Colorado’s Crisis Intervention Program, which provides help with repairing or replacing a home’s primary heating system, such as a furnace or wood-burning stove.

The Colorado Energy Office’s Weatherization Program, which can help improve home energy efficiency.

The Colorado Property Tax/Rent/Heat Credit (PTC) rebate, which provides a partial refund of property taxes or rental payments made, or a partial refund of heat or fuel expenses, to qualifying low-income seniors and those with a disability.

The Denver Property Tax Relief Program, which provides qualifying Denver residents a partial refund of property taxes or rent for couples and individuals who are 65 or older or permanently disabled, and for homeowners with children.

The Temporary Rental and Utility Assistance and Mortgage Assistance Programs through the Denver Department of Housing Stability. These programs offer resources to qualifying Denver residents who are facing financial hardship to help prevent eviction or foreclosure

For those who are unable to or prefer not to apply for LEAP online, they can download paper applications in English and Spanish, as well as other important information to know.

Once individuals finish filling out the application, they can drop it off at one of the secure drop boxes located at each of the City’s Human Services buildings: Richard T. Castro Human Services Center/Main Office, 1200 Federal Blvd, Denver, CO; Denver Human Services/East Office, 3815 Steele St, Denver, CO; Arie P. Taylor Municipal Center/Montbello, 4685 Peoria St, Denver, CO 80239; or individuals can fax 1-855-830-3483, or mail: LEAP, PO Box 39200, Colorado Springs, CO 80949.

Applicants can also email it to LEAPHELP@discovermygoodwill.org

or call 1-866-HEAT-HELP (1-866-432-8435) to request an application be mailed to you.

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