Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP)
Date posted: 11/04/2009
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Larimer County LEAP -
Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) is a program designed to help low income households with winter home heating costs. If a household is eligible for LEAP, it may also qualify for help such as minor furnace repair or replacement of broken windows. Households must submit a written application during the LEAP season (November 1 - April 30). Information in this data page is presented by Fiscal Year Ending [FYE], which corresponds to the end of the LEAP season in April. Funds are provided by the federal government and the Colorado Energy Assistance Foundation (CEAF), a non-profit organization. See Colorado Department of Human Services for more information about LEAP.
What this chart shows: Total Number of Approved/Denied Applicants for LEAP Assistance in Larimer County
Data Source: Colorado Department of Human Services LEAP office
What this chart shows: Average Dollar Amount of LEAP Benefits per Household in Larimer County
Data Source: Colorado Department of Human Services LEAP office
What this chart shows: Minimum/Maximum Amount of LEAP Benefits Received
in Larimer County
Data Source: Colorado Department of Human Services LEAP office
What these data tell us:
From FYE 2000 to FYE 2009, the number of Larimer County households submitting applications for heating assistance increased 190%. During that same time, there was a 208% increase in LEAP applications approved. On average, approximately 17% of applicant households are denied benefits each year. The two most common reasons for denial of benefits in FYE 2009 were:- Failure to provide requested information (538 households)
- Household income was more than qualifying income level (282 households)
The average benefit increased by 45% for FYE 2009 over the previous year. While eligibility guidelines were not adjusted for 2008-2009 year, additional funding was available to increase household benefits by 165%. During that same period, 9% more households submitted applications for heating assistance than in the previous year.
The eligibility guidelines are adjusted each year to reflect 185% of the Federal Poverty Level. For FYE 2007, an additional requirement was added in response to Colorado House Bill 1023, a law dealing with illegal immigration. All LEAP applicants were required to provide a picture ID and sign an affidavit regarding United States residency.
In 2008-09, the average benefit, minimum benefit and maximum benefit were increased due to additional funding from the federal government. For further explanation of benefit estimation see Additional Information.
Additional Information:
Explanation of LEAP benefit amount estimation:
(Below information from Colorado Department of Human Services - LEAP)
Since the formation of LEAP in Colorado, LEAP has been able to give some assistance to as many households as possible. The LEAP estimates the number of eligible households expected in a given season and the amount of money that is available for benefits. Therefore, the LEAP reduces the Estimated Home Heating Costs (EHHC) and Flat Rates by a percentage in order to assure that there are adequate funds to provide benefits to as many people as possible. There has not been a season in which the EHHC rate has not been reduced. The EHHC and Flat Rate are reduced for all eligible households to ensure that everyone is treated equally.
When estimating the LEAP benefit it is necessary to be conservative due to the fact that at the beginning of the LEAP season we do not know the exact amount of the federal grant, nor do we know the size of the client population for the season. As a result, we assume that we will have to make adjustments in benefits during the season and we try very hard not to adjust the benefits downward. Again, that is why we try to be conservative in setting benefits initially and fortunately in most LEAP seasons we are able to provide an increase to the original benefit.
On Compass -
- Affordable Rental Costs
- Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)
- Federally Subsidized Housing
- Food Stamps
- Home Ownership/Affordable Housing
- Homelessness
- Income by Racial Classification
- Median Family Income
- Per Capita Income
- Poverty
- Self-Sufficient Wages
- Students Eligible for Free/ Reduced School Lunch
- Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF)
Outside Compass -
- Colorado Department of Human Services - LEAP - Current guidelines to qualify for LEAP.
- Cost of Living Calculator - compares the cost of living in various United States cities.
- Federal Poverty Guidelines
- Larimer County Department of Human Services - information on basic assistance programs.
Standards or Targets: N/A
Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) - Larimer County
|
Denied Applications |
Approved Applications |
Total Number of Applications |
Average Amount of LEAP Benefit per household |
Minimum Benefit |
Maximum Benefit |
|
|
FYE 2000 |
453 | 1,816 | 2,269 | $275.31 |
$100 |
$700 |
|
FYE 2001 |
604 | 3,131 | 3,735 | $482.43 |
$200 |
$995 |
|
FYE 2002 |
682 | 3,529 | 4,211 | $248.91 |
$120 |
$700 |
|
FYE 2003 |
784 | 3,683 | 4,467 | $260.54 |
$165 |
$700 |
|
FYE 2004 |
1,003 | 4,692 | 5,695 | $270.03 |
$138 |
$700 |
|
FYE 2005 |
918 | 4,972 | 5,890 | $323.00 |
$177 |
$700 |
|
FYE 2006 |
1,169 | 5,561 | 6,730 | $500.00 |
$221 |
$900 |
|
FYE 2007 |
1,102 | 5,114 | 6,216 | $282.13 |
$165 |
$700 |
|
FYE 2008 |
909 | 5,121 | 6,030 | $392.00 |
$175 |
$900 |
|
FYE 2009 |
985 | 5,595 | 6,580 | $555.45 |
$497 |
$999 |
See chart - Number of LEAP Applications