It’s winter in Wyoming, and, with temperatures falling throughout the state, Wyoming residents can expect to see their heating bills rise in the coming months.

Officials with the Wyoming Department of Family Services say over 15,000 less-fortunate residents and seniors will apply for the state’s Low-Income Energy Assistance Program, or LIEAP, through February of 2013.

Heather Babbitt, a division administrator with Wyoming DFS, says the LIEAP program provides needed heating assistance for a broad range of people.

“We serve a lot of seniors, we serve a lot of families with young children and we serve households or folks with disabilities,” Babbitt said. “It really helps them make ends meet when heating bills go up.”

Babbitt says residents may obtain a LIEAP application by calling 1-800-246-4221, by visiting their local DFS office or by visiting the Wyoming DFS website.

Babbitt says DFS administrators will process LIEAP applications as quickly as possible. Babbitt says individuals facing a heating crisis, like a broken furnace or a shutoff notice, will have their applications processed immediately.

DFS will accept LIEAP applications through February 28.

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