Customer Assistance

Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP)

LEAP is a federally funded program administered by the Colorado Department of Human Services and is designed to assist with your winter heating costs. The LEAP Program eligibility period runs from November 1 through April 30.

LEAP is not intended to pay the entire cost of home heating. If you are applying for LEAP assistance you should continue to pay your home heating bill.

You may qualify for LEAP assistance if:

• You are a U.S. Citizen or a legal resident of Colorado.
• You pay heating costs directly to an energy provider or your pay the cost of heating your home with your rent.
• Your gross monthly household income falls within the guidelines set annually and posted November 1 of each year.
• Your maximum family household gross income falls within the guidelines to be outlined in November by the federal government. Household means people who live with you and for whom you, as an applicant, are financially responsible

LEAP will begin Nov. 1, 2008. Applications will be accepted from Nov. 1, 2008 through April 30, 2009. If you are in need of assistance with your energy bill during the time LEAP is closed, please contact the HEAT-HELP line at 866-HEAT-HELP (866-432-8435).

The Crisis Intervention Program (CIP) operates year-round and provides assistance with your home's primary heating source such as a furnace. You must be eligible for LEAP to qualify for CIP. For more information, please contact the HEAT-HELP line at 866-HEAT-HELP (866-432-8435).

Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)

HEAP is a partnership between Springs Utilities and the Energy Resource Center (ERC), and provides energy- and water- efficiency improvements for eligible Springs Utilities residential customers. All HEAP services are free except furnace replacement. Customers requiring furnace replacement must contribute $500 toward the purchase of a new, 80 percent-efficient furnace.

HEAP pays a portion of consumers’ winter heating bills. Consumers can use HEAP one time per winter heating season. The amount of assistance received through HEAP is determined by the following criteria:

• You must own the property you live in; and
• Must reside in a single family home, townhouse, condo or multifamily unit (duplex or fourplex); and
• Household income is at or below 225 percent of federal poverty guidelines

2008 Poverty Guidelines (225 percent)

For each additional person, add $8,100. Contact the ERC at 1-719-591-0772 to apply for HEAP.

SOURCE: Federal Register, Vol. 73, No. 15, Jan. 23, 2008, pp. 3971–3972

Energy Resource Center (ERC)

Springs Utilities provides customer referrals for ERC services. ERC provides free weatherization, insulation and furnace services for low-income customers. Customers must have monthly gross household income at or below 185 percent of federal poverty guidelines. Customers currently receiving LEAP, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Supplemental Security Income or MEDICAID assistance automatically qualify for ERC services.

Contact ERC directly at 719-591-0772 for other eligibility criteria and application procedures.

Citizens Option to Provide Energy (Project COPE)

Project COPE provides assistance to Springs Utilities customers facing utilities disconnection. Project COPE is supported by voluntary contributions from residents and businesses. For a referral to a Project COPE agency near you, call 2-1-1, Monday through Friday, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.

To be eligible for Project COPE assistance, you:

• Must be a Colorado Springs Utilities residential customer and a U.S. citizen or a legal permanent resident, or legally present in the U.S.; and
• Must have received a Colorado Springs Utilities disconnect notice; and
• Must be experiencing an emergency situation; and
• Must first apply for LEAP assistance. If LEAP assistance is no longer available, or if you do not qualify for LEAP, you may apply for Project COPE assistance.

Eligible customers may receive assistance annually through grants not to exceed $500.