The Kansas Department for Children and Families has announced Tuesday applications are now being accepted for the Low Income Energy Assistance Program. The application period runs from Tuesday, Jan. 20, through 5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 31, 2026. LIEAP provides a one-time per year benefit to help qualifying households pay winter heating costs. In 2025, more than 43,000 Kansas households received an average benefit of about $680.
To qualify households must applicants must be at or below 150% of the federal poverty level. The level of benefit received varies according to household income, number of people living in the home, type of residence, type of heating fuel, and utility rates. The federal government shutdown in late 2025 delayed the distribution of LIEAP funding to states for the 2026 season, which in turn delayed DCF’s planning efforts and the start of the 2026 application period.
Applications can be accessed online at dcf.ks.gov by clicking the “Apply for Services” button on the top right side of the website. When applying for LIEAP, Kansans should have their identification, proof of income for all adult household members, copies of heating utility bills, and a copy of their rental agreement if they are living in subsidized housing.
Learn more about LIEAP in Kansas, including frequently asked questions, other community resources, and the complete schedule of LIEAP application events at lieap.dcf.ks.gov.