Fewer low-income families will qualify for help with their heating bills this winter because federal budget uncertainty is forcing the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program to shrink its coverage.
The changes could leave many households in the cold, according to Todd Jorgensen, who directs the LEAP program in Colorado.
Last year, nearly 150,000 households applied for help and 125,097 were accepted. Jorgensen anticipates an increase in the number of applicants but estimates no more than 113,000 will receive aid.
“We had to make a difficult decision,” Jorgensen said. “We wanted to be sure that we reserve benefits for our most vulnerable clients. Based on the economic conditions and what’s happening in Washington, it’s relatively clear that the safety net is shrinking.”
This year, families whose gross income is no more than 150 percent of the federal poverty line may qualify for help. Last year, families making 185 percent of the poverty level could apply for LEAP aid.
This means a family of four making more than $33,528 would be ineligible for help. Under last year’s guidelines, a four-person family could have qualified if it earned no more than $41,348.
The Colorado Department of Human Services is in the process of notifying the households that received LEAP benefits last year that will not be eligible this winter.
LEAP is funded by a federal block grant. For 2010-11, Colorado was awarded $62 million.
Jorgensen said the sum could be cut by as much as 50 percent, depending on which version of the federal budget being debated is adopted.
Weston Gentry: 303-954-1054, wgentry@denverpost.com or
