Northwest Iowa — Some northwest Iowans’ utilities are only on because the law says the utility company cannot turn off utilities in the winter. But that will change next week when a winter heating disconnection moratorium comes to an end.
Under Iowa law, utility customers approved for the state’s Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program or “LIHEAP” cannot have their natural gas or electric service cut off due to unpaid bills between November 1 and April 1.
Brenda Collier of Upper Des Moines Opportunity in Primghar tells us about LIHEAP.
She says the program is income-based.
For instance, a one-person household can make up to $1759 per month or $21,105 per year and still qualify. A family of four could make up to $3588 per month or $43,050 per year and still qualify for LIHEAP.
Also, if you were going to apply for LIHEAP and haven’t yet, the deadline for that is approaching as well. Applications will be accepted until April 30, 2018, or until funding runs out.
Christine Taylor, with the Iowa Department of Human Rights, oversees LIHEAP and says several people may be at risk of utility disconnection.
Taylor is encouraging customers to contact their local community action agency, such as Upper Des Moines Opportunity or Mid-Sioux Opportunity if they’re unable to catch up on their utility debt.
Upper Des Moines serves Osceola and O’Brien counties in our area and several others. Mid-Sioux serves Lyon and Sioux Counties in our area and several others.
LIHEAP is a federally funded program. Iowa households that qualified this winter received an average payment of $450 to help them pay for utilities. According to Taylor, Iowans who qualify for LIHEAP could also avoid losing gas and electric service with a note from their doctor.
All utility customers in Iowa, including those who don’t qualify for energy assistance, can often maintain their service by entering into a payment agreement with their provider to pay the accumulated debt over time.
For more information, click here for a link to Iowa’s LIHEAP program.
