The Missouri Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program has two components, Energy Assistance (EA) and the Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP), that make up the program. Since both are a part of the LIHEAP program the eligibility requirements for them are the same, including the requirement that applicants be at or under 135% of the established poverty guidelines to receive assistance. During the 2008 fiscal year, CMCA helped 9,354 clients across our eight county service area to keep or turn their their utilities back on through ECIP.
EA is a one time payment program operating in the winter season from November to March with a stipulation that those who are either elderly or disabled may apply in October. The benefit level is bases on household size, income level, age and disability. It is not necessary to be in crisis to receive assistance through EA.
ECIP has a winter and a summer season. Like EA, the winter season starts in October for those who are either elderly or disabled, or November for all other applicants, and runs through May. Applicants must have a disconnection notice or be shut off before assistance is provided. Applicants can receive up to $800 in the winter and $300 during the summer season, provided there are funds avaiable. Clients may get assistance as many times as needed, provided they have a shut off notice and have not reached their maximum benefit levels for that season.