Temperatures are plunging across the Equality State, and thousands of low-income households are without heating assistance due to the federal government shutdown, now entering its fifth week.
The federally funded Wyoming Low Income Energy Assistance Program stopped approving new applications when its funding ran out Oct. 15, but continues to accept applications so that qualified candidates will receive help as soon as Congress approves a spending bill.
State LIEAP officials had OK’d assistance for 1,168 households before the pause on approvals, guaranteeing some level of reimbursement toward natural gas and electricity bills for the 2025-26 heating season, according to officials. However, the Wyoming Department of Family Services, which manages the LIEAP program, has received an estimated 3,529 applications since mid-October that cannot be approved until the federal government shutdown ends and the program receives an appropriation.
“Of those applications, 222 have indicated that they are in a crisis situation, such as running out of fuel or having their utilities disconnected,” DFS spokesperson Kelly Douglas told WyoFile via email on Monday.
“There is no way that my organization, with the level of need that is in this community, can make up for the absence of LIEAP.”
Kelly Wessels, Community Action Partnership of Natrona County
The program assisted 8,236 households last season.
Local organizers who help those in need apply for LIEAP and other assistance say they’re flooded with inquiries. They’re concerned that the absence of heating cost help will compound hardships for already vulnerable Wyomingites.
“Being cold is hard,” Community Action Partnership of Natrona County Executive Director Kelly Wessels told WyoFile. “You can be subject to other illnesses, then you’re not eating because you don’t have access to supplemental food, and so you’re compromising people in multiple ways.
“People are scared,” she added.
Community Action Partnership and other local organizations are working hard to coordinate resources to help fill gaps in the absence of federal assistance, Wessels said, but there simply are not enough resources to meet the need.
“The request for my agency’s assistance has gone up exponentially,” Wessels said. “We have had an extreme turn up in individuals who normally would be served by LIEAP, particularly your seniors and your disabled, who are experiencing shutoff notices, who have been shut off and who are in desperate need of utility assistance.”
She added, “There is no way that my organization, with the level of need that is in this community, can make up for the absence of LIEAP.”
Wyoming LIEAP typically begins offering “crisis benefits” to qualified households to help avoid disconnections, fill empty propane tanks and provide fuel for wood- and pellet-stoves on Oct. 1. It begins reimbursement assistance for utility natural gas and electricity bills after Nov. 1.
Both renters and homeowners can qualify for the program, but must meet the income requirement of no more than 60% of the state median income level. The amount awarded is based on several factors, including energy needs, income and family size. The program prioritizes households with children 5 years old and younger, residents who are 60 and older, as well as residents who are disabled.
The U.S. Senate reconvened Monday and is scheduled to vote Tuesday on a House-passed bill to reopen the federal government, according to national news outlets. Wyoming Republican Sen. John Barrasso, in a post on the social media platform X on Monday, continued to blame congressional Democrats for the shutdown.
In addition to Wyoming LIEAP, several utility companies that operate in the state provide home heating assistance via Energy Share of Wyoming, which is designed to help “people in hardship circumstances with energy related emergencies,” according to the organization’s website. But the program doesn’t typically begin accepting applications until Dec. 1.
DFS is encouraging those in need of support with heating costs to continue to apply to the LIEAP program and to reach out to Wyoming 211 by dialing 2-1-1 for assistance determining qualifications and how to apply. You can also visit the Wyoming Department of Family Services’ website.
If you’d like to make a donation to help those in need, reach out to Wyoming 211 by dialing 2-1-1 and they can connect you with organizations in your community.
How can individuals help?
If you want to reach out to Wyoming 211 (either call 211 from any phone or visit our web page at wyoming211.org) we can direct you to the local resources in specific communities that are helping people to keep their heat on and food in their pantries. Thanks for wanting to help!
And Schumer is comfy.
Richard, give it a rest……you have made your opinion known numerous times how you feel and who you blame for this shutdown. Truth of the matter, laying blame does no one any good…..donate to the local food shelf, or dial 211 and actually do something to help your neighbors.