Wyoming LIEAP Heating Assistance for Kinship Caregivers

What LIEAP Covers

Wyoming's Low Income Energy Assistance Program pays a portion of your heating costs during the cold months. Administered by DFS, LIEAP makes a direct payment to your utility company or fuel vendor — you do not receive the money yourself. The amount depends on your household size, income, and the type of heating fuel you use.

For a kinship household where a grandparent on a fixed income is now feeding and clothing a grandchild, the added energy cost of heating an extra bedroom or running more hot water adds up quickly. LIEAP is designed to bridge exactly that gap.

Application Window

LIEAP is seasonal. The current application period runs from October 1, 2026 through April 30, 2027. Applications submitted outside this window are not accepted. Apply early — funding is limited and distributed on a first-come basis in many states, though Wyoming processes applications throughout the season.

Eligibility

LIEAP is a household-income program, meaning all income in the home counts — your Social Security, pension, wages, and any child support or POWER cash grant the child receives. The income limit is 60% of Wyoming's state median income and varies by household size. A two-person household (grandparent plus grandchild) faces a lower threshold than a four-person household.

You must be responsible for paying your home heating costs, either directly to a utility company or to a landlord whose rent includes heat. Renters and homeowners both qualify. You need to be a Wyoming resident and provide proof of identity, residency, income, and your most recent heating bill.

How to Apply

Complete the joint LIEAP and Weatherization application through the online portal. For application assistance, call 1-800-246-4221 or visit your local DFS office. Have these documents ready to upload:

• Proof of income for all household members (Social Security award letter, pay stubs, pension statement)
• Your most recent main heating bill and electric bill
• Proof of Wyoming residency
• Social Security numbers for all household members

DFS processes applications and issues payments directly to the energy provider. Processing times vary, but applying early in the October–April window gives you the best chance of receiving the benefit before the coldest months.

LIEAP and Other Benefits

Receiving LIEAP does not affect your eligibility for SNAP, POWER, Medicaid, or Kid Care CHIP. It is a standalone seasonal benefit. And in the other direction, LIEAP payments are not counted as income for SNAP or POWER calculations.

If your heating bill has already gone past due and you are facing a shutoff, contact your local Community Action Agency for emergency utility assistance. Community Action agencies can sometimes make immediate vendor payments that LIEAP processing timelines cannot match.

The Wyoming Kinship Financial Help Guide includes a seasonal benefits calendar and covers how LIEAP fits alongside POWER, SNAP, and other programs available to relatives raising a child in Wyoming.

See more Wyoming guides →