Elderly And Disabled Can Apply For Heating Assistance Starting Monday

Primghar, Iowa — Starting this Monday, those who are elderly or disabled can apply for winter heating assistance through the 2017-18 Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program or LIHEAP.

LIHEAP was established to help qualifying low-income Iowa homeowners and renters pay a portion of their primary heating costs for the winter heating season. 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.

Collier says those age 60 or over and those who are on SSI or Disability can apply starting on Monday, October 2nd. Other low-income Iowans can apply starting on November 1st. Applications will be accepted until April 30, 2018, or until funding runs out. She tells us what you will need when you apply for LIHEAP assistance.

Officials say the program is not designed to pay your household’s total energy costs but will provide supplemental assistance based on several factors, including household income, household size, dwelling type, and type of heating fuel, among others.

For more information, O’Brien County residents can call Upper Des Moines in Primghar at 712-957-1023. Osceola County residents can call the Upper Des Moines office in Sibley at 712-754-2573. Lyon and Sioux Counties are among the counties served by Mid-Sioux Opportunity, and for more information or to set up a LIHEAP appointment in those counties, you can call the Sioux Center office at 712-722-3611 or on Wednesdays you can call the Rock Rapids office at 712-472-3746.

Again, at this time, they’re only taking applications from elderly or disabled Iowans. Starting November 1st, they’ll take applications from all low-income Iowans.

For more information click here.