Struggling to pay the bills? Know someone who is? The Iowa Department of Human Rights announced that it will begin accepting applications for energy assistance on Nov. 1.
To learn more, visit https://humanrights.iowa.gov/dcaa/where-apply or call 211.
Below is more information provided from the agency.
RELEASE
Iowa Department of Human Rights
Thursday, October 8, 2020
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps qualifying low-income Iowa homeowners and renters pay for a portion of their primary heating costs for the winter heating season. The assistance is based on household income, household size, type of fuel, and type of housing.
The application period runs from November 1, 2020 through April 30, 2021, with early applications accepted beginning October 1, 2020, for households that have a member who is at least 60 years of age, or disabled, or where disconnection is imminent. Anyone facing disconnection at any time should contact their local community action agency for assistance.
We know Iowa families are facing many challenges to cope with the COVID-19 virus. Some have lost jobs or had their hours of employment reduced. These circumstances and others could lead to difficulty in paying your utility bill. If you find yourself in that situation, there is help available through the State’s network of local community action agencies that have offices in all 99 counties. Families and individuals can apply for the Energy Assistance program through their local community action agency. This program can help pay a portion of an eligible household’s utility bill. Eligibility is based on household size and income. We encourage anyone facing difficulty in paying their utility bill to contact their local agency.
To find your local agency, you may call 2-1-1, visit https://humanrights.iowa.gov/dcaa/where-apply, or contact the Iowa Department of Human Rights at (515) 281-3861 or 1-800-351-4659. LIHEAP information is available in multiple languages on the Department’s website.