Des Moines, Iowa — Time is running out for lower-income northwest Iowans to apply for the heating assistance program. Iowa Utilities Board spokesman, Rob Hillesland, says the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is available to those who may struggle to pay that heating bill.
Another benefit of being eligible for LIHEAP, is you are then protected on the utility shut off moratorium.
If you don’t have some sort of payment agreement with your provider and have outstanding bills, you should find out about LIHEAP, say state officials — because as of April 1st, the moratorium is over, and that means they could turn off your utilities for non-payment.
In our area, the local community action agency serving Osceola and O’Brien Counties (and several others) is Upper Des Moines Opportunity. You can reach them toll-free at (800) 245-6151 or at udmo.com. Mid-Sioux is the community action agency serving Lyon and Sioux County (and several others). They can be reached toll-free at (800) 859-2025 or at midsioux.org.
The deadline to get heating assistance from LIHEAP for the 2014-15 winter season is April 30th.
