For some customers, including seniors on fixed incomes, energy expenses can be a financial burden. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides assistance for heating costs, electric costs, and energy crisis situations. Operating with federal and state funding, the program provides assistance to approximately 80,753 Iowa households annually. Whether you use wood, propane, natural gas, electricity, or fuel oil to heat your home, energy assistance is available if you qualify.
Heating Assistance
LIHEAP assistance is a one-time payment during the heating season (November 1-April 1). The funding pays a portion of the heating costs, but the payment is not intended to cover the entire cost of heating a residence. The amount of the energy assistance benefit varies depending on a variety of factors, including the household’s size, income, and energy costs. In most cases the energy assistance benefit is paid directly to the household energy supplier.
Electric Assistance
Your household may be eligible to receive a payment for non-heating electric energy costs. LIHEAP electric (non-heating) assistance is a one-time benefit payment during the heating season (November 1-April 1). The funding pays a portion of the household’s electrical (non-heating) costs, but the payment is not intended to cover the entire cost of the non-heating costs.
As with heating assistance, the amount of the non-heating assistance benefit varies depending on a variety of factors, including the household’s size, income, and non-heating costs. In most cases the non-heating assistance benefit is paid directly to the household energy supplier.
Crisis Assistance
Your household may be eligible for crisis assistance if you have no heat, have received a disconnect notice from the heating vendor, or are nearly out of fuel and do not have the money to purchase more. Crisis assistance is available through your local LIHEAP agency via a 24-hour crisis phone number. LIHEAP crisis assistance provides both emergency and proactive services.
There are also non-emergency or proactive crisis services that include providing information on how to reduce fuel costs, counseling on budgeting and money management, providing payments to a fuel supplier, and co-pay agreements.
Furnace Assistance
LIHEAP emergency heating system assistance can provide services to eligible home owners if their furnace or boiler stops operating during the heating season. Heating system assistance includes payment for repairs, or in some situations your residence may qualify for a total replacement of a non-operating furnace or boiler. Call the local energy assistance office if you are experiencing a no heat situation.
How to Apply
Your household may be eligible for LIHEAP services based on a number of different factors.
For more information on LIHEAP and how to apply, please call Operation Threshold at (319) 334-6081.