The federally funded Low Income Energy Assistance Program, administered by the Kansas Department for Children and Families, will provide a supplemental benefit to those already participating in the program to help with summer utility bills.

The payments are made to the participants’ utility providers, not to beneficiaries.

LIEAP provides an annual payment to help people in qualifying households pay winter heating bills. Individuals with disabilities, elderly persons and families with children are the primary groups assisted. In the winter of 2012, nearly 54,000 Kansas households received an average benefit of $182.

This year, funding is available to provide an additional payment for energy costs incurred during the summer.

Individuals who applied and received the benefit during the regular application period will automatically be issued a supplemental benefit of about $340, bringing the average benefit for the year to more than $522.

Funding for LIEAP is provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Community Service.