Boulder County, Colo. – Low-income households that meet income and other eligibility requirements may receive help with their heating bills this winter through LEAP, the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program.

The federally funded program, administered locally by the Boulder County government from November through April, is designed to pay the highest benefit to households with the highest heating costs and lowest income.

LEAP eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship or permanent legal residency, Boulder County residency, and for the household to pay heating costs directly to an energy or fuel-source provider or have heating costs included in their rent.

Additionally, applicants must have a monthly gross income below 185 percent of federal poverty guidelines:

Household size Maximum gross monthly income

1 $1,604

2 $2,159

3 $2,714

4 $3,269

5 $3,824

6 $4,379

7 $4,934

8 $5,489

Each additional +$555

Eligible applicants may also qualify for the Crisis Intervention Program. The CIP operates year-round and provides assistance with the home’s primary heating source such as a furnace.

Applications and additional information for both LEAP and CIP are available at the Boulder County Housing & Human Services office in Longmont at 529 Coffman St., online at www.bouldercounty.org/hhs/leap.htm or by calling 303-678-6097.