Seniors and People with Disabilities in Iowa Can Apply for LIHEAP Assistance Now

(Des Moines) – The Iowa Utilities Board reminds consumers that limited financial assistance for heating is available to income-eligible utility customers through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program ( LIHEAP). The annual application period runs from November 1, 2021 to April 30, 2022. The application period for residences for the elderly or disabled started on October 1.

The LIHEAP program is designed to help low-income homeowners and renters pay a portion of their primary heating costs through a one-time payment made directly to the utility or heating fuel supplier. Under the LIHEAP or Bad Weather Assistance Program, Iowa law protects qualified applicants who are the head of a household from being disconnected from natural gas or electricity service from November 1 to April 1. .

Although qualified applicants cannot be disconnected during the annual winter moratorium, the IUB urges all LIHEAP certified customers to continue paying their energy bills during the winter to avoid accumulating high debt and d ” be faced with a potential disconnection of public services in the spring.

Eligibility for the federally funded LIHEAP program is based on household size and income, type of fuel, and type of dwelling. Interested applicants should consult the Federal Income Guidelines and then apply to the community action agency serving their area. Heating assistance dollars for LIHEAP and the bad weather assistance program are limited.

For assistance, utility customers can contact their local utility company or contact the IUB customer service staff at 877.565.4450 or customer@iub.iowa.gov.

Learn more on the IUB’s LIHEAP webpage or through the Iowa Department of Human Rights online at humanrights.iowa.gov/dcaa/liheap or call 515.281.3861.